DOMESTIC researchers are designing bionic bones with improved biological compatibility and mechanical strength, which will bring new possibilities for future orthopedic implants.

Researchers from the Northwestern Polytechnical University have spent more than 15 years developing artificial bones that are highly consistent with the composition, structure and mechanical properties of natural bones.

Bone defects are one of the most common diseases in orthopedics, and scientists have been exploring new methods to fabricate bone scaffolds to repair the defects.

According to Wang Yan’en from the university, which is based in Xi’an, Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, most commonly used bone implants are made of polymer materials and metals such as titanium, but they lack bio-compatibility and do not match human bone’s mechanical strength, which could lead to abrasion and dislocation after being implanted.

“If the implants cannot be well fused with natural bones, they may need secondary surgery,” Wang said.

Wang’s team used hydroxyapatite, a medical bioceramic material, to fabricate bone scaffolds. Wang said although it is considered one of the most suitable materials for bone scaffold fabrication, how to bond the powder-like material into a strong and robust scaffold remains a difficult problem.

The team experimented with hundreds of different solutions to create a binder that would not only result in a strong and robust scaffold but also adapt to the biological environment. The research has been published in the journal Polymer.

After research on the material, Wang’s team also explored how to use 3-D printing technology to make customized bone scaffolds. They cooperated with companies in developing 3-D bionic bone printing machines.   (Xinhua)