Cranial Implant 3D Printed From a Biocompatible Ceramic | Lithoz on The Cool Parts Show

Cranial implants today are primarily manufactured from materials such as titanium and PEEK. The patient’s bone may grow into and bond with these materials, but there are other options that more actively encourage new bone growth so that the implant becomes fully integrated. In this episode, we look at how 3D printing is enabling the development of cranial implants made from hydroxyapatite (HA), a ceramic also known as bone mineral that makes up around 70% of human bone by weight. The body recognizes this material and is more likely to produce new bone cells when it is present. We explore how Lithography-Based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) makes it possible to 3D print patient-adapted implants with this material, and the way forward for such medical devices.