Japan developing 3D bone printer

Funding from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has enabled the development of a 3D bone printer.

Researchers at medical technology company NEXT21 K.K. and the University of Tokyo’s brain science institute RIKEN, say the printer is capable of creating artificial bone material that is accurate up to 0.1mm.

It uses ink from bone substitute calcium phosphate which developers say should integrate into a patient’s body, fusing with existing bone. The thinking behind this is that it should make bone grafting much easier and cut down on the healing time for broken bones or those that have undergone bone removal procedures.

The printer will be rolled out across Asia for artificial bone therapies, if trials prove successful. Next21 says these will last about 10 months.

According to a report on Engineering.com, deals to license the technology are underway in both the Netherlands and Canada but no timetable has been set for the printer’s introduction into the European and North American markets. The technology also needs to undergo safety procedures and analysis needs to be carried out as to cost involved.