DESIGN, 3D PRINTING, & EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF LATTICE-BASED BIODEGRADABLE METAL IMPLANTS FOR BONE REGENERATION IN SEGMENTAL BONE DEFECTS

Bones naturally self-repair in the case of fracture or minimal bone loss. However, issues such as misalignment, considerable bone loss, and size of the fracture site can hamper this process, especially for load-bearing bones below the waist. Existing procedures can correct misalignment, yet more complex cases require highly invasive permanent solutions like rods or plates. Thus, a suitable temporary alternative is needed. This study covers the design, simulation, fabrication, and evaluation of a lattice-based degradable metal implant for load-bearing fracture sites requiring such intervention. It is designed to meet the load-bearing requirements while minimizing the amount of material used. The implant gradually degrades as the bone is repaired, with implanted stem cells accelerating the process. Furthermore, this study discusses various experiments performed to evaluate biocompatibility, tissue-metal interface, and mechanical performance. Along with previously performed material characterization and biocompatibility studies, these investigations are essential to developing a functional degradable metal implant.