Engineers create 3D printer which ‘creates’ bones

A 3D printer is being used to create bone like material which will repair injuries.

Engineers believe the substance can act as a support to allow new cell growth meaning that an injury will heal. The material then dissolves with “no apparent ill effects.”

Research shows that this process will allow doctors to custom order bone tissue replacement within a few years.

Prof Susmita Bose, Washington State University said ”You can use the bone-like ceramic powder as a feed material and it can make whatever you draw on the computer.”

Prof Bose also added her team were trying to develop the material to degrade as the cell renewal occurs.

The team have spent four years developing the material which is created using a 3D printer originally designed for making 3D metal objects.

The process sees plastic binder sprayed over ceramic powder. This process is carried out layer by layer until the desired mould is created, the material is then baked at 1250C .