Three-dimensional printing technology paves the way for healing of bones and tissues
WHEN treating accident victims who require parts of their body to regenerate, doctors will normally opt for implants made of permanent materials. Installing the implant itself is not only a complicated and risky procedure, but also labour-intensive.
However, thanks to new 3D printing technology like the one developed by Osteopore, also known as bioprinting, doctors can now make safe and time-effective implants that suit the patients' requirements.
HOW IT STARTED
Featured Videos
Osteopore's chief technology officer Dr Lim Jing is the brains behind the development of the bioprinting technology.
He has been testing various biomaterials for the regeneration of bones, skin and blood vessels since his student days in university.
He obtained a bachelor's degree and master's in mechanical engineering from the National University of Singapore before pursuing a doctorate in bioengineering at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
"As a researcher in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, it has been a dream to realise the outcome of my research. The Osteopore experience has enabled me to create a positive impact on patients' lives, and the ample training I had during my varsity days has given me a broad understanding of different clinical needs, as well as how biomaterials may influence regeneration outcomes," Lim said.
He said that previously, doctors would make implants, such as skin and blood vessel grafts, using tissues from the same patient. The use of tissues from a different donor is a last resort.
Lim says the Osteopore experience has enabled him to have a positive impact on patients’ lives.
Unfortunately, this poses a high risk of an allograft rejection by the patient's body. The process is also intricate and costly.
However, with Osteopore, the end product differs.
"With the advent of additive manufacturing and technology, the tissue regeneration field has developed a lot from the past 20 to 30 years, and will continue to push boundaries for the patients' outcome.
"Despite the low clinical translation success rate, Osteopore has managed to become one of the few cases where a university research project has been successfully commercialised," said Lim.
THE TECHNOLOGY
Lim explained that a medical assessment is needed to determine the suitability of an implant.
In-situ tissue engineering (ISTE) technology depends on the body's natural healing process to guide functional tissue restoration at the defective site.
"We use the body's regenerative ability to rebuild lost tissues by leveraging tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and 3D printing techniques of biomimetic scaffolds.
"For example, with a 3D printer, we can make bioabsorbable implants for bones that can naturally break down into water and carbon dioxide as the healing takes place, leaving a healthy regenerated bone in its place. It also imitates the healing process to accelerate reconstruction and enable the affected bone to heal on its own," he explained.
Lim added that the implant scaffolds will further induce ingrowth from surrounding native tissues and initially, co-occupy the space within the scaffold bulk, which then promotes healing.
Made of bioresorbable polymers, these implants work best in craniofacial, orthopaedic and dental procedures, as their ability to break down may prevent post-surgery complications compared with permanent implants.
With ISTE, surgeons and dentists also no longer need to culture cells to produce tissue grafting and source materials outside the body.
The biodegradable implants take about 18 to 25 months to break down entirely.
Dr Lim with a 3D printer used in bioprinting.
COMMERCIAL CHALLENGES
While the technology does wonders, it currently has some shortcomings in terms of utilisation.
Lim said that the complex process requires all stakeholders to have ample understanding of tissue engineering, biology and medicine.
"Successful clinical application depends on having in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and concept of tissue engineering, besides regenerative medicine. It is a nascent technology that has tremendous potential when applied correctly," he added.
FUTURE PLANS
Despite clinicians being reserved in their treatment approach, Lim believes that they will slowly embrace and apply the technology that his company has developed for years.
He also sees his company as a catalyst to empower natural tissue regeneration.
"We have planned a suite of products and solutions that can consolidate our position in the market and become the leading global company in tissue regeneration. We are also working hard to expand our technology's field of application to impact a wider group of patients," he said.
