Innovative animal models for surgical interventions and implant biocompatibility: a translational perspective

Innovative animal models are instrumental in translating surgical and implant technologies, serving as bridges for surgical intervention and implant biocompatibility from preclinical research to clinical translation. This review discusses genetically modified, disease-specific, and biomimetic animal models used for orthopedic, cardiovascular, neural, and soft tissue implants. Quantitative comparisons have shown 45% impaired bone regeneration of CRISPR- engineered osteoporotic rodents, enabling exact evaluation of highly bioactive scaffolds. Humanized porcine models for vascular implants show similar 30% endothelialization improvement which reduce thrombosis risks, and enhance implant longevity. These advanced polymeric coatings were also able to reduce chronic rejection by 50% as measured in immune-humanized mouse models emphasizing the role of inflammatory response in qualitative analyses. Diabetic animal models with biosensor-integrated implants show 60% quicker wounds healing, underscoring the potential complement of smart implants and individualized preclinical experimentation. These advances have brought new challenges in genetic drift, long-term stability, and low regulatory standardization. The advancements of AI-assisted device selection, 3D bioprinting of those selected devices, and in vivo imaging of the devices, may prove to be the most promising for future studies. This review outlines a translational roadmap to intermediate cards with implant success and accelerates the clinical translation of next generation surgical technologies.