Researchers at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague are testing 3D-printed titanium joint implants capable of releasing medication directly into the body after surgery, a development that could soon reach Czech patients. The team is working alongside doctors from Motol University Hospital, and has acquired one of the country’s most advanced 3D metal printers to support the project.
The printer works by spreading a thin layer of titanium powder, then fusing it with a laser before repeating the process. A knee implant requires roughly 1,300 such layers and takes about ten and a half hours to complete. Researcher Jiří Kubásek, who works directly with the machine, says its precision is what sets it apart. “It’s an extremely precise machine when it comes to fine detail. It can be used to produce a variety of porous structures that mimic, for example, natural bone tissue,” he said.
That porous structure is central to the project’s medical potential. The pores, which measure tens to hundreds of micrometres across, mirror natural bone tissue and allow body fluids to circulate. They can also be loaded with medication before surgery, turning the implant itself into a drug delivery system tailored to individual patients.
Professor Dalibor Vojtěch, who leads part of the research, has demonstrated implants designed for the hip, shoulder, and ankle. He’s also shown a small white implant that resembles a pill, impregnated with a carrier material. “In this particular case, the implant is impregnated with a material based on sulphates, phosphates and silver, which has antibacterial properties. It also contains the antibiotic vancomycin, which acts as a barrier against post-operative infections,” Vojtěch said.
The key challenge now is finding a carrier material that’s completely safe for the body and breaks down at a precisely controlled rate. Getting that right would allow surgeons to pre-load implants with drugs matched to each patient’s needs, delivering treatment exactly where it’s needed during recovery.
Source: english.radio.cz
