Abstract
Large bone loss injuries require high-performance scaffolds with an architecture and material composition resembling native bone. However, most bone scaffold studies focus on three-dimensional (3D) structures with simple rectangular or circular geometries and uniform pores, not able to recapitulate the geometric characteristics of the native tissue. This paper addresses this limitation by proposing novel anatomically designed scaffolds (bone bricks) with nonuniform pore dimensions (pore size gradients) designed based on new lay-dawn pattern strategies. The gradient design allows one to tailor the properties of the bricks and together with the incorporation of ceramic materials allows one to obtain structures with high mechanical properties (higher than reported in the literature for the same material composition) and improved biological characteristics.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7515-7530 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | ACS Omega |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Mar 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to thank the support received from both the University of Manchester and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of the United Kingdom.
Funding Information:
Through a project entitled “bone bricks: low cost-effective modular osseointegration prosthetics for large bone loss surgical procedures”, funded by EPSRC/GCRF (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council/Global Challenges Research Fund), the authors are investigating novel low-cost modular prosthetic solutions for the treatment of large-scale bone tissue defects, enabling the salvation of lower limbs. The immediate application was to treat the Syrian refugees in Turkey, suffering from large bone fractures due to traumatic injuries and explosions. Through this project, the authors are proposing a strategy based on the combined use of an external fixation and an internal prosthetic implant (bone bricks) that will connect in a “lego-like” way, filling the damaged area. The aim is to improve patient outcome, reduce hospitalization time, and avoid painful limb lengthening.
Funding Information:
This project has been supported by the University of Manchester and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of the United Kingdom and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), grant no, EP/R01513/1 and EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship grant no. EP/R513131/1.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.