Advancements in tissue engineering have introduced a number of promising methods to repair large bone defects. Technology used, to date, in such efforts have involved autografts and allografts. These methods have severe limitations and associated risks and have, thus, fueled research efforts to find more efficient methods of healing. Tissue engineering uses methodology from materials engineering and life sciences to design replacement devices with similar morphology and function for injured tissues leading to tissue repair. In their publication, Peng et al. have discussed a “three-dimensional scaffold attached with specific cells cultured in vitro or in vivo for a certain period, subsequently delivered to the desired site for the purpose of tissue repair.” Scaffold research for repair of large bone defects is important due to the need for a better understanding of the various cells, signal molecules, and tissues required for a prospective application. The ideal scaffold designed for osteogenesis should have properties that mimic those of natural bone, where the average size of pores is around 1 mm and porosity makes up 50-90% of the bone. Interconnected pores are also vital for in-growth of tissue into the porous body, as they allow for nutrients and oxygen to be transported to cells and for waste to be removed from cells. In the study conducted by Peng et al., a scaffold was designed to engineer large bone tissue in vivo. It is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite (HA) spherules and a porous HA tube coated with poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA). Uniformity of particle size is an important aspect of engineering a scaffold, and HA spherules are used because they can be mixed with biological substances; this better fulfills the need for un...
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...f 4-5 cm in length and 1-1.5 cm in diameter. This scaffold consisted of HA spherules in order to best accommodate the engineering of large bone tissue in vivo. It was also constructed into tubes and discs with interconnected pores that allowed for cell proliferation and differentiation. The interconnected pores also greatly allowed for vascularization. Scaffold porosity was found to vary based on changes in porosity and dimensions of the spherules. The scaffolds also contained a layer of PLA to enhance their strength and mechanical properties.
Works Cited
Q. Peng, F. Jiang, P. Huang, S. Zhou, J. Weng, C. Bao, C. Zhang and H. Yu, "A Novel Porous Bioceramics Scaffold by Accumulating Hydroxyapatite Spherules for Large Bone Tissue Engineering in vivo. I. Preparation and Characterization of Scaffold," Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, p. 10, 2009.
In recent years, the type of futuristic technology that we see in movies is finally coming to life through this idea of superhuman abilities in bionic limbs that use artificial intelligence. The new developments and breakthroughs in prosthetics, changed what we thought would only be fictional into reality.
Bones are dense and provide support and structure to the body. The two types of bones is compact and spongy bones. Compact bones are dense and tough. Spongy bones are not as dense and are flexable. Bone remodeling occurs n 120-day cycles. Over the first 20 days resorption by osteoclasts occurs. Osteoclasts release proteases, clears away damaged bone, and releases matrix-bound growth factors. Bone formation occurs by osteoblasts over the last 100 days. Osteoblasts fill in bone cavity with bone matrix.
... The advanced technology of surface modification in the biomedical sector have the ability to offer not an improvement in the tribological properties only but also to improve the clinical requirements prior and post implantation. Such properties includes cell growth and antibacterial effect.
So far, various techniques have been used for reconstruction and regeneration of maxillary and mandibular bone defects. Autogenous bone grafting, guided bone regeneration (GBR), distraction osteogenesis and nerve transpositioning are among these regenerative techniques (1-8). Decision making for the treatment could be influenced by the type, size and location of the bone defects (2, 3, 9, 10). GBR had high success rate in treating small alveolar defects such as dehiscence or fenestration. Regenerative bony walls around the defect with ingrowing blood vessels can begin osteogenesis (11) larger bone defects with insufficient regenerative walls and an low quality avascular bed need varied amount of autogeneous bone graft from extra oral or intra oral donor sites, however, the patient may suffer from complications in donor site as well as bone graft resorption.(10, 12-15)
Alumina and zirconia ceramics have been widely used in orthopaedic hip replacements for the past 30 years. The advantage of using these was lower wear rates than those observed using polymers and metals. Because of the ionic bonds and chemical stability of ceramics, they are relatively biocompatible and therefore more preferable to use than metals and polymers. Alumina is most commonly used as a femoral head component instead of a metal in a hip prosthesis because this would reduce the polyethylene wear that is generated. Alumina is a desirable biomaterial to use in hard tissue implants because of characteristics like excellent wear resistance, high hardness, bio inert, low abrasion rate and good frictional behaviour. Furthermore, it has excellent surface finish as well as high fatigue streng...
A prosthetic is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part lost through trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. Prosthetics are becoming revolutionized to encourage amputees to pursue their highest ambitions. The technologies are progressing in prosthetics to make amputees lives more functional and the prosthetics life like.
Stem cell research can date back to 1956 and has lead to multiple medical breakthroughs. Stem cells are generic animal cells that can make copies of themselves indefinitely. Therefore, these cells have to ability to become any body part or organ (Cowan). But, getting this resource is what brings up a controversy. Scientists and researchers are gathering human embryos to further study and test stem cells and some people don’t agree with this. The end result of using embryonic stem cells is someone being able to walk again, someone remembering the names of their children, and someone being able to say that he beat cancer. Stem cell research is beneficial to society and should be accepted into labs all around the world.
Stem cell research is one of the most widely expanding areas of scientific research being conducted all over the world today. In basic terms, stem cell research is the research of stem cells; however in actuality is much more complicated. A stem cell is a cell with the ability to develop into any of the cell types that make up the tissues and organs of the body. This makes these cells highly useful and provides endless opportunities in the field of regenerative medicine.
Solid Freeform Fabrication(SFF) has been possibly the most large scale fabrication technique among the different types of design and fabrication methods (Bose, et al., 2012). The main feature of SFF has three dimensional parts which are printed layer-by-layer depending on computer aided design (ask plagiarism). The fabrication of SFF on polymer, ceramic, metal and composite scaffolds has been widely accepted in bone tissue engineering applications (Bose, et al.,
Modern technology has taken amazing strides in the past few years. We have changed the way we deal with food production, agriculture, and many other aspects of life.. Scientists have begun utilizing these advances in technology and knowledge to gain insight as to how the human species functions. They are on the verge of manipulating the way humans relate to the natural world. This revolutionary breakthrough is what is known as Genetic Engineering. Genetic Engineering is the process of manually adding new DNA molecules into an already existing organism. A simplified version of the process works by physically removing a gene from one organism and placing it into another. This is being done in an effort to
Arizona Science Center. (2011, February 1). Busy Bones. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved November 10, 2017 from http://askabiologist.asu.edu/bone-healing
Researchers from the University of Southampton propose that gels made from clay may administer the right environment that would stimulate stem cells to regenerate lost tissue such as cornea, bone, skin, heart, spinal cord, liver and pancreas. Clay particles attract molecules to bind together. Scientists propose that will be able to use the clays encouragement to get stem cells to grow new tissue. Researchers first approach is to regenerate bone lost to cancer or hip replacement failure. If researchers are successful, then stem cells can be brought to a whole other level. Stem cells could be applied to burn victims or to people suffering from diabetes or parkinson 's disease. Clay particles are what could be needed to stimulate the process at a particular point of injury. There are two major challenges for the purpose of basic stem based therapies. The first major challenge is being able to hold the stem cells at the right location. Researchers propose that clay particles gelled in water can injected into the body and held at the exact site of injury eliminating the need for surgery. Clay particles also interact with polymers which are used in scaffolds, which stem cells grow on. Researchers hope this will improve the scaffold’s strength to preserve the support at the site of injury until regeneration is done. The ability of clay to overcome these is huge(Life Science Weekly). Also
Biomedical engineering is expanding very rapidly. The techniques and concepts of biomedicine date back to ancient Egypt with a wooden big toe (The Whitaker Foundation). The field of Biomedical engineering is needed for the aging population of the baby boomers. Recent advances made since 1990 vary cell-based skin substitutes to robotic surgeons. The advances made in recent years have undoubtedly expanded the overall life span of the human race; humans can now live a longer and more joyous life.
The field of bioprinting, using 3D printing technology for producing live cells with extreme accuracy, could be the answer to many of the problems we as humans face in the medical field. It could be the end to organ waiting lists and an alternative for organ transplants. In 3D printing technology lies the potential to replace the testing of new drugs on animals. However, the idea of applying 3 dimensional printing to the health industry is still quite new and yet to have a major impact. Manufacturing working 3D organs remains an enormous challenge, but in theory could solve major issues present today.
Bioengineering is a truly fascinating and prolific field, from which we will be sure to see many advances in the future. Currently, researchers are even devising a process of scanning large wounds and printing stem cells directly onto the patient to repair it. Many things that were previously science fiction are now becoming a reality thanks to a massive team of doctors, researchers, and engineers working to implement organogenesis into common medicine, truly making this exciting new process the future of regenerative medicine.