Rapid Prototyping of hydroxyapatite polymer based nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering

The need of reconstructing complex bone defects in the maxillo-facial region as a result of trauma, tumour surgery or congenital malformation has become a hot topic in the field of tissue engineering. Digital tools such as 3D CAD systems and rapid prototyping (RP) machines are a useful tool to realize custom made bone scaffolds. RP techniques allow the construction of complex physical models based on 3D clinical images elaborated by suitable software and CAD systems. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of the most used material for bone restoring because of its composition very closed to human bones and teeth. Producing a custom-made scaffold in a ceramic material directly by RP is therefore an exciting challenge. The aim of the present work was to investigate the potential of RP processes as a manufacturing method for products intended for personalized treatments by exploring the production of novel hydroxyapatite-based feedstock materials for RP purposes. Materials for two different kind of RP techniques were deeply characterized, evidencing that the presence of HA is able to greatly increase their physical, thermal and mechanical properties. Composites were subsequently used to obtain 3d structures by RP instruments.