3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Innovative 3D Printed Femur Could Transform Bone Repair and Surgical Training
revopoint

Innovative 3D Printed Femur Could Transform Bone Repair and Surgical Training

November 1, 2024

A research team from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has developed a 3D-printed femur model, potentially paving the way for cost-effective and customizable solutions in orthopedic surgery preparation, biomechanical studies, and bone repair. Created through a collaboration with UT Southwestern Medical Center’s orthopedic surgeons, this 3D-printed femur represents a new approach to improving surgery planning and training with a patient-specific focus.

researchers
Doctoral student Kishore Mysore Nagaraja (left) and Dr. Wei Li, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, conducted laboratory tests to evaluate the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed femur models. (Image Credit: UTD)

Challenges in Traditional Bone Surgery Preparation

In traditional practice, orthopedic surgeons rely on cadaver bones or synthetic bone models to study surgical techniques and evaluate the effectiveness of implants. However, cadaver bones are expensive and difficult to source, and commercially available synthetic bones may lack the anatomical precision needed for customized treatment. Additionally, they can take time to acquire and may not reflect the unique geometry required for patient-specific procedures.

The 3D-Printed Solution

Led by Dr. Wei Li, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UTD, the research team designed a 3D-printed femur prototype made from polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer widely used in 3D printing. This material allows for cost-effective production, with each femur model costing around $7 to print. At nearly eight inches in length and one inch in diameter, the printed bone represents the midsection of a human femur and demonstrates mechanical properties closely aligned with natural human bone in lab testing.

femur samples
Researchers produced femur samples using a 3D printer, estimating a production cost of approximately $7 per femur model. (Image Credit: UTD)

The 3D printing process enables engineers to replicate the precise geometry of a patient’s femur, potentially allowing doctors to customize models to fit individual patients. This capability could be essential in bone tumor treatment, where replicating affected bone sections could aid in testing targeted therapies.

Innovative 3D Printed Femur Could Transform Bone Repair and Surgical Training
Researchers evaluate the 3D-printed femur design using a universal testing machine, which assesses various material and structural properties. (Image Credit: UTD)

Applications and Future Directions

Beyond providing a cost-effective alternative for biomechanical studies and surgical training, the 3D-printed femur has broader implications. Dr. Li suggests that the polymer model could one day replace materials like titanium currently used in bone repair. In another promising application, researchers plan to incorporate 3D-printed tumors into these models, allowing for preoperative testing and treatment development directly on simulated bone structures.

This project has brought together experts from different disciplines, including orthopedic oncology surgeon Dr. Robert Weinschenk and hand and upper extremity surgeon Dr. Richard Samade from UT Southwestern. Both surgeons bring engineering expertise to the project, enhancing the collaborative approach in exploring novel orthopedic solutions.

The promising results from this study, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research, highlight the potential for 3D-printed bones to advance orthopedic care. Further research will refine the models and explore additional clinical applications, including potential use in bone tissue regeneration.

As the research progresses, the UTD and UT Southwestern teams are optimistic about how 3D printing can transform orthopedic surgery and enable more personalized and precise treatments.

Source: news.utdallas.edu

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

United Utilities Expands 3D Printing for Water Infrastructure Operations

United Utilities is incorporating 3D printing technology into its operations following the completion of a two-year Water Industry Printfrastructure project. The initiative, funded... read more »

News
United Utilities Expands 3D Printing for Water Infrastructure Operations

New Frontier Aerospace Successfully Tests 3D-Printed Rocket Engine

New Frontier Aerospace has completed a series of hot-fire tests of its 3D-printed Mjölnir rocket engine, the company announced from its Kent, Washington... read more »

Aerospace
New Frontier Aerospace Successfully Tests 3D-Printed Rocket Engine

FRCE Innovation Lab Creates Rapid Solution for F-35 Fleet

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has produced 2,000 O-ring installation tools for F-35 Lightning II aircraft using 3D printing technology. The project was... read more »

Military
FRCE Innovation Lab Creates Rapid Solution for F-35 Fleet

Etsy’s New 3D Printing Restrictions: What Sellers Need to Know

Etsy has recently updated its policy regarding items in the "Made by a Seller" category, specifically clarifying rules for products created with "computerized... read more »

News

New 3D-Printing Technique Creates Dual-Material Objects from Single Resin

Researchers have developed a new Vat photopolymerization technique that creates both permanent objects and dissolvable supports in a single process. According to a... read more »

Materials
New 3D-Printing Technique Creates Dual-Material Objects from Single Resin

Northumbria Receives EU Funding for Sustainable 3D-Printed Construction Research

Northumbria University has received a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Fellowship worth over a quarter million euros to research low-carbon, 3D-printed construction materials. The... read more »

Construction
Northumbria Receives EU Funding for Sustainable 3D-Printed Construction Research

3D-Printed Sports Bra Could Help Olympic Star Break Historic Athletics Record

Nike has developed a new 3D-printed sports bra called the FlyWeb Bra for runner Faith Kipyegon's attempt to break the 4-minute mile barrier.... read more »

News
3D-Printed Sports Bra Could Help Olympic Star Break Historic Athletics Record

Vietnam Emerges in High-Tech Medicine as Vinmec Pioneers 3D-Printed Breakthroughs

Across pediatric, adult, and geriatric cases, Vietnam’s Vinmec Healthcare System's implementation of 3D printing solutions has significantly transformed patient outcomes, replacing disability with... read more »

Medical
Vietnam Emerges in High-Tech Medicine as Vinmec Pioneers 3D-Printed Breakthroughs

Johns Hopkins APL Helps Navy Overcome Metal 3D Printing Reliability Concerns

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) are working with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to address reliability concerns with... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Johns Hopkins APL Helps Navy Overcome Metal 3D Printing Reliability Concerns

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing