Towards 3D fabrication of MgP-based mechanically competent implants for bone regeneration

Abstract

The development of the degradable bone implants has gained a great attention during the last years. This need comes from the fact that autologous bone transplantation, which is the current standard and most effective treatment of bone defects, is associated with severe drawbacks regarding donor site morbidity and limited availability. However, there is a lack of synthetic materials that are degradable, osteopromotive and mechanically competent at the same time. Further, materials processing and the implantation of the scaffolds in the body are also an important challenge. In this thesis, by using advanced 3D printing technologies, the fabrication of biodegradable, patient-specific, and mechanically competent MgP-based implants has been explored to treat critical-sized bone defects. The developed MgP-based biomaterial is inspired by the composition of native bone tissue and can be degraded in the body and subsequently be replaced by native bone.