METHOD FOR 3-D PRINTING A CUSTOM BONE GRAFT
A method for producing bone grafts using 3-D printing is employed using a 3-D image of a graft location to produce a 3-D model of the graft. This is printed using a 3-D printer and a printing medium that produces a porous, biocompatible, biodegradable material that is conducive to osteoinduction. For example, the printing medium may be PCL, PLLA, PGLA, or another approved biocompatible polymer. In addition such a method may be useful for cosmetic surgeries, reconstructive surgeries, and various techniques required by such procedures. Once the graft is placed, natural bone gradually replaces the graft.
1 : A method for producing a custom bone graft, comprising:
obtaining an image of an intended graft location;
creating a digital model of said custom bone graft using said image; and
creating, using a 3-D printer said custom bone graft using a printing medium that forms a porous material with a load bearing strength comparable to bone.
2 : The method of claim 1 wherein said porous material comprises collagen and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP).
3 : The method of claim 1 wherein said porous material comprises porous Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) and demineralized allograft bone matrix (DMB).
4 : The method of claim 3 wherein said printing medium comprises Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), demineralized allograft bone matrix (DMB), sucrose crystals and a radical polymerization initiator.
5 : The method of claim 4 wherein said radical polymerization initiator comprises benzoyl peroxide.
6 : The method of claim 4 wherein said printing medium further comprises an antibiotic.
7 : The method of claim 6 wherein said antibiotic consists of one of amoxicillin, doxycycline, gentamicin and clindamycin, or some combination thereof.
8 : The method of claim 4 wherein said printing medium further comprises a radio-pacifier.
9 : The method of claim 8 wherein said radio-pacifier consists of one of zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ), barium sulphate (BaSO 4 ), or any combination thereof.
10 : The method of claim 1 further comprising a compound to increase the biodegradability of said printing medium consisting of cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), or a combination thereof.
11 : The method of claim 1 wherein said printing medium is comprised of PCL, PLLA, PLGA, or any combination thereof.
13 : The method of claim 1 wherein said printing medium is applied via a heated extrusion.
14 : A method for producing a custom bone graft, comprising:
obtaining a 3-D image of an intended graft location;
creating a 3-D mesh using said 3-D image;
creating a 3-D digital model of said custom bone graft using said 3-D image; and
creating, using said 3-D digital mold, said custom bone graft,
wherein said custom bone graft is formed from a porous, biodegradable, biocompatible material that is conducive to osteoinduction and has a load bearing strength comparable to bone.
15 : The method of claim 14 wherein generating a 3-D digital mold of a negative mold for said custom bone graft further comprises using a 3-D printer.
16 : The method of claim 14 wherein said mesh is water tight.
17 : The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:
using said 3-D digital model to position screws in relation to anatomical structures.
18 : The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:
using said 3-D digital model to overlay said 3-D mesh.
19 : The method of claim 15 wherein said 3-D printer further comprises a heatable syringe configured to extrude the biocompatible material onto a printing surface.
20 : The method of claim 19 wherein the biocompatible material is extruded with sidestepping or a rotated direction of layers onto the printing surface.