Print Yourself a Femur

Scrooge919 writes "Newscientist is running an article about a new 'bone printer' that can be used to replace segments of broken bones. A large segment could be fabricated in about an hour and would be able to support the person's weight. Over the course of about 18 months, the section is absorbed by the body and replaced with real bone."

Comments

FDA approval, and current needs

[menscher]

Here is an example use of this technology. The piece needed was to strengthen the jawbone of an elderly lady. We actually printed it out (plastic, not bone, but you get the idea), and it was shown to fit quite nicely during an operation.

The problem? FDA won't let the doctors leave it in there. They just got to put it in place and take a few pics before removing it again. So the woman still has a weakened jawbone, despite the fact that the technology exists to help her.

Re:FDA approval, and current needs

[menscher]

Sorry for the second post, but here's a lot more information on that project, including a picture of the operation itself.

Re:FDA approval, and current needs

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, the final result from UIUC was indeed printed as a bone implant using an artificial bone replacement material called hydroxyapatite. See the project website at: Mandible Reconstruction Project

Re: You're not that far from the truth

[Cochonou]

Check :
Tissue engineers grow penis in the lab

Wonderful science.

Mod parent up!

[eric2701]

The FDA does serve a purpose, Thalidomide is a great example. Ever see a person in their 20's or 30's with an underdevolped limb? Most likely they were born in another country where Thalidomide was allowed as a treatment for morning sickness. Why wasn't it allowed in the US, because no studies had been performed which measured its affect on the pregnancy. Thank you FDA!

Oh yeah and guess who isn't a big fan of FDA regulation? Orrin Hatch. Turns out Utah is home to many of the big health supplement companies. The FDA has no jurisdiction over them, so they are allowed to make all sorts of false promises about their products and then sell you whichever mix of ginsing and ephedrine they wish.

Re:PC Load Ossein?!

[Anonymous Coward]

He's making a reference to the movie Office Space.

Re:Sucks...

[DjMd]

Without reading the article I can tell you that this "printed bone" can't be used to replace joints.

The technology is producing a bone matrix replacement, which is nauturally transformed into bone by the body. (due to the nature of the way bone is contsantly being broken down and rebuilt.) The problem is that joint tissue is a whole other ball game. You need cartilage, and a nice joint sinovioum, and neither of these will just form being using a matrix.
This mostly for better union of broken bones.

Re:Friend Good! Ephedrine Bad!

[Mr. Slippery]

Mah Huang" aka ephedra sinica, a natural herbal supplement, the active ingredient of which is ephedrine -- which is no less harmful than crank.

Uh, ephedrine is much weaker than methamphetamine. That's why people go through the trouble of making meth - often using ephedrine as a base. (Which is a large part of the reason the Drug Warriors get so bent out of shape about ephedrine.)

pseudephedrine is the manufactured ingredient, the main ingredient in Sudafed, a leading decongestant

Exactly. Taking a little Mah Huang tea or a little Sudafed to clear your sinuses is generally safe. I prefer the tea, since you're also getting soothing warm liquids and herbs usually contain secondary substances that help balance out the action; I also find the use of herbs more aesthetically appealing. YYMV.

Taking large doses of either to get "high", or taking it constantly as a weight loss drug, is stupid. But it's your body and none of the government's business.

some "natural organics" can be quite dangerous (tobacco, psilocybin mushrooms, peyote buttons...)

Psilocybin is quite safe, it's estimated that it would take several pounds of mushrooms to cause an overdose. Peyote is pretty safe, though I did read one account of a fatality from vomiting-related bleeding in an alcoholic man. (By "safety", I refer to the pharmacological actions of the drugs. Taking a psychdelic drug can result in a very intense experience, for which one should be psychologically prepared - treat all drugs, from chocolate to morphine, with respect. And don't do stupid things like drive while under the influence of any drug.)