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3D-Printed Metamaterial Replicates Bone
15 Aug
Summary
- World's first personalized metamaterial bone prosthesis created.
- Titanium implant mimics bone structure, weighs 300 grams.
- Patient regains mobility after leg-saving surgery in Spain.
Madrid's Gregorio Marañón Hospital has pioneered the world's first personalized metamaterial bone prosthesis, a significant advancement in reconstructive surgery. This groundbreaking implant, originally developed for aerospace technology, has successfully saved a 38-year-old patient's leg from amputation due to tibial sarcoma.
The implant is constructed from a titanium lattice, 3D-printed to meticulously replicate the mechanical properties of natural bone. This intricate structure distributes loads effectively, much like bone tissue, and encourages integration with the patient's own bone, minimizing rejection risks.
Custom-designed using the patient's radiological images, the prosthesis allowed for precise surgical planning. The patient, who had been immobile for nearly two years, is now walking again a year after the operation. The hospital plans to expand this hyper-personalized medical technology to other areas, including wrist and sternum implants.
