Research & Reviews: Journal of Material Sciences
MenuISSN:2321-6212
ISSN:2321-6212
Dan Li, Pravin Vence, Yaoyi Huang, Hong Shen, Yunlong Ma and Yuanzheng Ma
Northwestern University, USA 309th Hospital of the PLA, China
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Res. Rev. J Mat. Sci
3D printing aims to deliver intricate biomedical devices based upon advanced diagnostic imaging. With the current upsurge in public interest and increasing access to low-cost printers, efforts are underway to produce patient-specific anatomical models, customized implants, and individualized instrumentation. Examples include the development of disposable surgical saw guides and cutting blocks in total knee arthroplasty. These devices help minimize tissue loss and optimize the native biomechanics of the patient. This review explores the evolution of 3D printing technology in the context of biomaterials. It also aims to critiques the major challenges ahead in optimizing bioinks and biologic performance in bringing 3D bioprinting to clinical practice. Common materials include metals, bioceramics, synthetics, and natural polymers; each having specific mechanical properties, processing methodology and cell-material interaction. Biofunctional biomaterials are an emerging class of materials that display adaptability and activity at every phase of bone growth. These biomaterials have been shown to promote osteogenic differentiation, improve calcium phosphate (CaP) precipitation, and regulate osteoblast gene expression. When crafted to emulate the specific micro-environment of bone, polymer-surface modifications accelerate bony ingrowth. 3D printing holds promise as a scaffold for bone regeneration as precise control of the overall geometry and internal porous structure. The accompanying biomaterials may be successfully embedded within multi-cellular co-cultures and specific growth factors modulated to optimize growth and fixation. Bioceramics such as hydroxyapatite (HA), calcium phosphate, and bioglass, are osteogenic and promote cell proliferation, though they have been shown to lack appropriate mechanical strength. Composite scaffolds of HA and tricalcium phosphate and polycaprolactone (PCL)-HA with carbon backbones have been investigated to optimize biocompatibility and architecture to improve the porosity and mechanical strength of these constructs. Furthermore, microscale manipulation of biomaterials allow for integration of antimicrobial properties to combat infection. Recent Publications 1. Butler B A, Fitz D W, Lawton C D, Li D, Balderama E S and Stover M D (2018) Early diagnosis of septic arthritis in immunecompromised patients. Journal of Orthopaedic Science 23(3):542-545. 2. Li D, Pengfei L, Linfeng F, Huang Y, Yang F, Mei X and Wu D (2017) The immobilization of antibiotic-loaded polymeric coatings on osteoarticular ti implants for the prevention of bone infections. Biomaterials Science 5(11):2337–2346. 3. Li D, Li L, Ma Y, Zhuang Y, Li D, Shen H, Wang X, Yang F, Ma Y and Wu D (2017) Dopamine-assisted fixation of drugloaded polymeric multilayers to osteoarticular implants for tuberculosis therapy. Biomaterials Science 5(4)730-740. 4. Kuiken T A, Bennet B A, Sharkey T, Ivy A D, Li D and Peabody T D (2017) Novel intramedullary device for lengthening transfemoral residual limbs. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 12:53. 5. Fu S, Rossero J, Chen C, Alzgheir R, Li D and Takoudis C (2017) On the wetting behavior of ceria thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition. Applied Physics Letters 110:8.
Daniel Li has completed his Undergraduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering at University of Illinois. He conducted research under John Rogers Research Group investigating novel biodegradable electronics. He has participated in a wide variety of both basic and clinical research regarding biomaterials in the context of orthopedic applications, such as the use of hydrogels as a novel drug-eluting mechanism to combat osteomyelitis and tuberculosis infection. He has spent significant time overseas in the orthopedics department at the 309th Hospital of the PLA in Beijing, China, working under the team of Dr Yuanzheng Ma. Currently, he is performing clinical outcomes research at Northwestern University regarding the evaluation of prosthetic joint infection.
E-mail: Daniel.li1@northwestern.edu