Functional engineering strategies of 3D printed implants for hard tissue replacement

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a promising fabrication method for bioartificial bone tissues.
• Current bone substitutes face challenges including poor mechanical properties, inadequate vascularization, and insufficient osteointegration.
• Functional modification of printing materials is crucial for enhancing bone tissue engineering applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in functional engineering strategies for 3D printed biomaterials in hard tissue replacement.
• To highlight how these strategies overcome limitations of traditional bone substitutes.
• To provide insights into material properties and engineering techniques for bone, cartilage, and joint regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Review of current 3D printing technologies relevant to biomaterials.
• Analysis of properties of various printing materials (metals, ceramics, polymers).
• Examination of functional engineering strategies applied to 3D printed biomaterials.

Main Results:

• Functional engineering significantly improves physicochemical and biological properties of 3D printed biomaterials.
• Strategies address key challenges in bone tissue engineering, enhancing osteointegration and vascularization.
• Diverse materials and engineering approaches are being utilized for hard tissue regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Functional engineering of 3D printed biomaterials is vital for successful hard tissue replacement.
• Continued development in materials and strategies will advance bone, cartilage, and joint regeneration.
• 3D printing combined with functional engineering holds significant potential for future orthopedic applications.