Development of Bone Implants Using Tissue Engineering and Bioprinting Techniques

Although patient-specific thoracic implants have been developed, they are artificial, unable to promote bone proliferation and are unsuitable for long-term use. As a result, they are primarily used for patients with limited life expectancy. Therefore, there is a need for thoracic implants for patients with congenital conditions, trauma deformities or cancer with higher life expectancy. While bio-implants that grow within the body offer a promising alternative, they remain largely inaccessible due to high costs, inconsistent supply, and limited quality. This project seeks to address these challenges by developing advanced biofabricated bone implants for thoracic surgery, utilising innovative techniques such as bio-electrospraying and cell electrospinning. Unlike existing implants, these biofabricated structures are designed to regenerate personalised tissue, promoting osseointegration and long-term stability. In addition to transforming tissue repair, this technology could reduce reliance on animal testing by enabling the development of human-like tissue models for testing novel treatments and devices.