Bone-forming implants save lives

2024-01-08

Bone-forming implants created by our resident company – Syntplant – have already saved the lives of several children in Poland and Ukraine. 

A breakthrough technology in the manufacture of implants makes them bioresorbable and bioabsorbable.That means that over time they dissolve and are absorbed by the body, replaced by the patient’s own bone tissue.

Implants that are used for paediatric bone injuries have to be eventually replaced. The reason is the continued growth and development of the patient – the implant becomes too small and mismatched. Implants developed by Syntplant also don’t grow with the patient, however its structure allows the patient’s own bone tissue to grow into its place. In addition, the implant itself gradually dissolves and absorbes.

By using geometric reconstruction of the bone contours, it is possible to obtain a perfectly reproduced shape of the bone defect. This is done using images taken by CT scan (computed tomography scan). The implant is then designed and printed using 3D printing technology.

Technology developed by scientists from Poznan University of Technology and Silesian University of Technology makes it possible to create any type of prosthesis. The shape of the implant, the parameters and the type of fixing elements are all discussed with the surgeon at the design stage. In addition, before the operation a 3D printed sample is submitted for evaluation and, if there are any objections, it is redesigned.

Use of implants to date

Thanks to a grant Syntplant received from the National Centre for Research and Development in 2019, more than a dozen people have already been helped. The Polish team was contacted by Dr Pavlo Plavskyi. The neurosurgeon from the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine was looking for help for his patients. Together with Syntplant, he worked on the shape of bone-forming implants, which were first used over a year ago. The available results from the post-operative follow-up of the patients show the success of the project. Bone has begun to form in the cavities and grow around the implant. The child is developing normally, is healthy and continues to be monitored. The cost of manufacturing and transporting the implants was covered by the grant.

These bone-forming implants can be used throughout the skeletal system, thanks to the versatility of the 3D printing technology used to create them. The Polish team has also begun working with orthopaedic and dental clinics. The company offers the opportunity to purchase not only the finished implant, screws, bolts and plates, but also the filament used to make them.

A news report on this can be found here.