Problem
Bone defects are a global issue affecting millions, caused by factors such as trauma, aging, disease, surgical resections, and congenital abnormalities. There are natural and synthetic options for bone grafts or replacement. A natural bone graft may come from the patient or a donor and is surgically inserted and provides a surface for the remaining bone tissue to adhere to and offers mechanical support. Natural bone from a donor requires surgery on the donor and carries a risk of infection. Synthetic grafts may be made from titanium metal or polymers that mimic the structure and material properties of natural bone.
Currently available synthetic bone grafts struggle with incomplete bone formation, adverse tissue reactions, and bone/soft tissue infections. Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK), a high-strength medical-grade polymer, has become the industry choice for manufacturing bone implants, as it has material properties similar to natural bone and is biocompatible. Unfortunately, PEEK implants are difficult to manufacture with a microstructure similar to natural bone. This lack of microstructure results in poor bonding between natural bone and the implant, affecting the long-term effectiveness of bone repair.
Solution
The Li and Wang research team at The University of Texas at Austin have invented a new process for manufacturing PEEK bone implants with a microstructure conducive to bone growth. Their innovative method is compatible with 3D printing and enables the manufacture of implants with interconnected porous structures resembling those found in natural bone, along with the desired mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and X-ray transparency of the ideal implant. This material contains the correct pore structure to allow infiltration of adjacent cells, leading to enhanced strength and longevity of the grafted bone portion. This invention is at the proof of concept stage, and the inventors are continuing to validate the technology in ongoing studies.
About the inventors
Professor Wei Li is a professor of mechanical engineering and a holder of the Bob R. Dorsey Professorship at UT Austin. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and was an associate professor at University of Washington prior to coming to UT. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER award and the PECASE award and has served as an associate editor of ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering.
Vincent Y. Wang, MD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at UT Austin. In addition, Dr. Wang is a neurosurgery specialist in Austin, TX and has over 22 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in 2000 and is affiliated with medical facilities such as Ascension Seton Hays and Dell Seton Medical Center at UT.
