A specialised 3D- printed scaffold, combined with fillers and bioactive molecules, can be designed and characterised to demonstrate the efficacy of synthetic, off-the-shelf and custom fabricated scaffolds for the repair of long bone defects. Using specialised three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology, combined with fillers and bioactive molecules, 3-D scaffolds for bone repair of sizable defects can be manufactured with a level of design customization that other methods lack. Hydroxyapatite (HA)/Beta-Tri-Calcium Phosphate (β -TCP) scaffold components may be created that provide mechanical strength, guide osseo- conduction and integration, and remodel over time. Additionally, research suggests that bone morphogenic protein (BMP) stimulates growth and differentiation of new bone. Therefore, we hypothesise that with the addition of BMP, HA- β -TCP scaffolds will show improved regeneration of bone over critical sized bone defects in an in vivo model.Summary
Introduction
