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Grow Your Own Replacement Bones

Posted by michael on from the not-made-of-adamantium-unfortunately dept.

Tim writes "New Scientist reports on a German man who had a complete jaw transplant, after having his cancerous jawbone removed nine years ago. The twist? This jawbone was grown on his shoulder, using a titanium mold, bone marrow, and recombinant bone morphogenic protein." There's also a BBC story.

32 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. Great. by Dthoma · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Still, the amount of pain associated with getting broken bones means that I doubt there'll be anyone willing to abuse this system!

    --

    Note to M1-ers: a curt but otherwise insightful message is not "Flamebait" or "Troll".

    1. Re:Great. by garcia · · Score: 5, Informative

      Umm, this really isn't for people with your typical broken bone. This is for people that need a bone replacement.

      It only took seven weeks to grow the replacement jaw-piece and then only four more weeks until it was successfully grown into place.

      For some reason I was under the impression that they had grown him an entire new jaw but that was obviously not the case as they only grew him a piece of his jawbone back. He still has no teeth and the doctors claim he can get a set next year.

      Wow.

    2. Re:Great. by AndroidCat · · Score: 4, Funny

      Maybe they'll work-out how to regrow noses, and Michael Jackson can put that piece of his ear back? (The idea that pain will limit abuse is, perhaps, wishful thinking.)

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    3. Re:Great. by dasmegabyte · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Why limit abuse? If people want to grow new limbs for cosmetic reasons, I say let 'em do it. It's their bodies, their money, and it can only mean cheaper rates for other, non-cosmetic procedures. And there are some procedures which would be partly cosmetic but could also be very healthful...growing replacement leg bones for people who have uneven legs, or replacement fingers for people who've lost them.

      Heck, I'd like to see Alan Colmes able to someday finally grow a spine.

      --
      Hey freaks: now you're ju
  2. Perfect! by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've always wanted 20 or 30 more vertebrae. And finally, some quasi-femurs and quasi-patellas for my new 2-jointed legs.

    Hmmm. Where to attach the second set of arms?

  3. Re:yup by superpulpsicle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ah the erectile dysfunction pills and penile enhancement industry is in trouble now.

  4. joking aside, by JUSTONEMORELATTE · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As creepy as this may be for those of us fortunate enough to still have all original parts, it's life-changing or even life-saving if you've lost a section of your skeleton (like this dude) for some reason.
    Profoundly cool work.
    --
    I always wanted an iPod how about you?

    1. Re:joking aside, by hpulley · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Too bad it sounds like this is just generic bone grown in a mold, not actually a grown jawbone which knows its own shape. While it is cool that they can do this, I hope it leads to more complicated things like joints being grown to the right shape later as right now we can't do implantable prosthetic wrists or ankles, just too complicated. I know, as I have had reconstructive wrist surgery due to bone loss from a bone tumor; as good a job as they did with metal, cement, etc., it is not and never will be 100% as good as the original. I'd gladly have a wrist growing on my back for a while if it meant being 100% as good as before.

      --
      $#!^ happens, but why does it always have to happen to me???
    2. Re:joking aside, by Jhan · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm still curious what they atteched to the jawbone.

      The neckbone? I hear the word of the Lord!

      --

      I choose to remain celibate, like my father and his father before him.

    3. Re:joking aside, by Anonymous+Writer · · Score: 4, Interesting

      While it is cool that they can do this, I hope it leads to more complicated things like joints being grown to the right shape

      You can create joints grown to the right shape. You can create Rapid Prototyping Models of bones from CT scans. You can have CT scans of bones exported to a format called DICOM which you can then have converted to a file format called STL, used in Rapid Prototyping. In your case, you could probably get a CT Scan of your other wrist in DICOM format, and have the STL mesh flipped to be a mirror image.

      There are some services that can provide conversion software, or do the file conversions, as well as provide the RP models, although the models are made through stereolythography from what I gather. There are newer methods of creating rapid prototyping models that use the same STL file format, that are probably more precise.

      You can obtain some software packages that let you do the conversion yourself, and although there is probably a bit of a learning curve, the biggest problem would be the price. It would be best to just let the services handle the conversion and you choose which Rapid Prototyping method to use.

      From this point, you can use the model to construct a titanium mold, which could then be used to produce actual bone. And as for cartilege for the joint, the Carticel cartilege growth and transplant procedure could probably be applied. The FDA has approved Carticel for the knees and hips, but it would be up to a doctor's discretion to apply it in other ways.

    4. Re:joking aside, by Anonymous+Writer · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I haven't heard of anyone doing this so I'm sure it is more complicated than a bunch of file conversion routines but nonetheless it is interesting.

      They are doing it, just not with bone yet. Check out the the case studies. The models are either being used for surgical planning, or for implant design. I actually first saw this sort of thing years ago, on a documentary, showing how they used stereolithography to create a piece of skull to exactly fit a hole some guy had in his skull, and they implanted it.

      The file conversion procedure involves converting a massive amount of raster data (DICOM) to vector data (STL). This requires some manual intervention to do things like segmentation (isolating the proper body part) and patching up flaws that the conversion process couldn't handle. Some bone layers were too thin to automatically be recognised, so there were a few holes, and metal artifacts like braces cause after-images in CT scans that have to manually be edited out for the STL mesh.

      You'd be surprised at where the technology is now. I have a jaw problem, so I went and got a CT scan done where I got the results on a CD rather than film. The viewer on the CD was for Windows, so I was unable to view it on my PowerBook. I came across a fantastic free (GPL) program called OsiriX which runs on OS X 10.3 (Panther). With this, I was able to view 3D images of my skull and jaw on my laptop. The site even lets you download example DICOM data to try out with the program. For DICOM viewers on other platforms, you can check out IDoImaging.com

      And I'm actually in the process of having DICOM data converted to STL by Simpleware.co.uk and will have a model made with a Z Corp 3D printer. I just sent them the CT Scan DICOM data by FTP, and they are in the process of converting it to STL, which I will retrieve by FTP. Then I'll FTP it over to the local RP service with a 3D Printer, and they'll post the model over to me in a parcel.

  5. Coming soon... by k4_pacific · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just wait till the piercing/body modification crowd catches wind of this. I imagine tusks, horns, antlers, fangs, claws... The possibilities are endless.

    --
    Unknown host pong.
    1. Re:Coming soon... by Solder+Fumes · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, just wait until the FURRIES get ahold of this! Dog and fox muzzles, cat noses, animal legs, TAILS! At least they'll be permanently identifiable to the torch-and-pitchfork mobs.

  6. This really bites by SIGALRM · · Score: 4, Funny
    The titanium frame with its bone-growing ingredients were then implanted into a layer of muscle on the patient's right shoulder blade to form tissue and blood vessel connections to the muscle. "He actually didn't find this uncomfortable at all and was able to sleep on that side with no problems,"
    I find this amazing. He was able to sleep with a partial jaw... a JAW growing from his shoulder.

    I'd probably complain, something like, "damn, this really bites"...
    --
    Sigs cause cancer.
  7. The way of the future. by tao_of_biology · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Stuff like this is definitely the way of the future. With all of the stem cell research and cloning research going on, it won't be THAT long before we could potentially have organs and other body parts in storage that was grown from our own stem cells or other cells.

    Need a liver transplant? No problem, here is one we already made for you. Lung? Spleen? No problem. And now, we apparently have the technology to make the body grow bones of any shape we like and to surgically put those back in the body. That's unbelievably cool.

    And, because all of these things are genetically identical to the recipient of the transplant, there is no kind of rejection problem at all.

    I don't think it'll be that far down the road before "transplants" are a thing of the past. All organ/tissue replacement will be made for an individual.

    --

    -- "A chicken is an egg's way of making another egg."

  8. Wait... by Kenja · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does this mean I should stop harvesting body parts off of hookers?

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    1. Re:Wait... by Ignignot · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nah, this is still experimenal. It isn't covered by your HMO like the hookers are.

      --
      I submitted this story last night, and it didn't get posted.
  9. One question. by teamhasnoi · · Score: 4, Funny
    Where does this guy work when this thing is growing out of his back and he looks like one of the zombies from Doom3?

    Is he a greeter at Walmart? Cashier at a Burger King? Clown at kids parties?

    I just can't see him saying, "Oooo ahhh iiiieess iiii ahhhh?" (Do you want fries with that?)

    Yes. I'm going to hell.

  10. This is where cloning would come in. by Drunken_Jackass · · Score: 4, Funny

    I mean seriously. As cool as this is, who wants to have a jaw on their shoulder? If you had a clone, you could put the jaw on his shoulder.

    No fuss, no muss.

    --
    There are 01 types of people in this world. Those that understand binary, and me.
  11. Joking up front again by plover · · Score: 4, Funny

    One might even say "jaw-droppingly cool". Because this is just that cool.

    --
    John
  12. Re:Some people still bitch by danratherfan · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The poor guy hasn't had a jaw in 9 years. He wants to be able to eat like a normal person. I understand that you feel this makes him whining, but the whole point behind medicine is to restore normal function. Its not like he was asking for the doc to grow a laser on his head or something. It is understandable that he would feel this way. I am sure he would agree that what they had done for him was a major improvement in his life, though.

  13. Re:Hurray for Stem Cells Research by plover · · Score: 5, Informative
    As much as I don't like Bush and the Republican party, and think their embryonic stem cell restrictions are the penultimate in luddite stupidity, you should reread the article. This jawbone was grown from his own bone marrow stem cells, and did not require embryonic stem cells. No Bushwhacking would be involved.

    Besides, this was done in Germany. Even if the Theocratic States of America succeed in shutting down all medical progress, they're happy to outsource this sort of thing. Need a new kidney? Fly to Germany, they'll be happy to grow you a new one.

    --
    John
  14. Re:remove the titanium? by Mr.+Bad+Example · · Score: 4, Funny

    > I wouldn't exactly want a titanium bulge [...]

    Oh, I don't know. The ladies love mine.

  15. Re:Hurray for Stem Cells Research by jwriney · · Score: 4, Informative

    Don't believe the FUD. Bush is not against stem cell research. He has prevented such research that involves the destruction of human embryos from receiving federal funding. Research involving stem cells from adults, animals, and cord blood, which are all highly promising, is federally funded and ongoing.

    --riney

  16. Re:A perfect example by BillFarber · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Hopefully Bush will read this article and wake up.

    Except that Bush is against fetal stem cell research. This kind of stem cell research is supported by Bush. This case actually helps Bush's argument.

  17. I am having something similar by pair-a-noyd · · Score: 4, Interesting

    In a few weeks I am having a spinal fusion surgery to repair my back. My L3 vertebrae is broken completely in two and there is a half inch gap between my spine.

    I was given the choice of having bone matter placed in me from a dead person or using my own bone marrow. Well duh! Which choice did I take?

    They are going to put two titanium tubes drilled with many small holes in between the two vertebrae then fill them with a mixture of my bone marrow and this BMP material or something very much like it. The mixture will spawn new bone growth and cause the two vertebrae to grow (or fuse) into one large vertebrae. Titanium rods and screws will hold it all together while it grows, which could take anywhere from one year to two years.

    This is from an injury that occurred about 37 years ago and degenerated over time from a fracture to the point of total failure of the bone. I'm told that it's a GOOD thing that it just now is coming to light because of these new procedures, otherwise had they found it when I was a child, spinal surgical procedures in those days were barbaric and had a low success rate. They say this new method has better than a 95% success rate, with the 5 percent failure due to people not doing as told afterwards.

  18. More pictures here by hemabe · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you want to see more pictures, you can find them here.

  19. Another Article by Karma+Farmer · · Score: 4, Informative
    Another story, with pictures.

    A quote in that story, from Paul Brown, head of the Center for Tissue Regeneration Science at University College in London:
    Just making the gross tissue shape right isn't really the problem, it's what the shape of the tissue is at the microscopic and ultramicroscopic level. That's the architecture which is so tricky and which is what gives function.


  20. Use adamantium instead by The+Fun+Guy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Have you always wanted that fashionable and useful unbreakable skeleton, but don't have the rapid mutant healing factor that would let you survive the implant surgery? Well, this offer IS FOR YOU!

    Now available for the rest of us,

    Wolverine's Skeleton(TM)!

    With our patented new techniques, in just seven weeks(1) you can get the adamantium-matrix bone structure that you need. The Wolverine's Skeleton(TM) uses 100% adamantium in a computer-designed matrix that supports the growth of *your* bone marrow cells. No need to worry about loss of immune system function, because with the Wolverine's Skeleton(TM) system, your bone marrow will keep making T-cells and helper B-cells, just like always. Surprising affordable(2), your Wolverine's Skeleton(TM) will pay for itself in record time. From stopping .45 slugs with your molars to shrugging off I-beams to the thigh(3), Wolverine's Skeleton(TM) is the skeleton you need!

    Order today!

    1-888-METAL-ME

    (1) per bone
    (2) adamantium not included
    (3) no protection to musculature, nerve tissue, blood vessels or other non-bone elements is stated or implied

    --
    The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. - Mark Twain
  21. Extreme body mod by nanojath · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, I was thinking I could get a tiny little extra lower AND upper mandible grown, then I could have that freaky double mouth action thing from Alien going on...

    (yeah we can laugh now, when our kids come home with a double ring of Doberman teeth circling their skulls 'cause it's the krezappy style of the day we'll be singing a different tune.

    --

    It Is the Nature of Information to Transgress Artificial Boundaries

  22. Actually... by GreenCrackBaby · · Score: 4, Informative
    Except that Bush is against fetal stem cell research. This kind of stem cell research is supported by Bush. This case actually helps Bush's argument.


    Actually, since this all happened in Germany, and not in the US, I think it is a pretty good case against Bush's stem cell "policy" (more like religious idiocy, imho).

    My wife finished her undergrad genetics degree (at a Canadian university) a couple of years ago, and even then she noticed an increase in the number of people from the US coming up for grad studies, since the type of work they needed to do with stem cells just wasn't possible in the US.

    Stem cell research is going to happen, with or without Bush. The only variable is the country in which it is going to happen, and right now it ain't the US.

    --

    "The market alone cannot provide sufficient constraints on corporation's penchant to cause harm." -- Joel Bakan
  23. Re:Atrophy? by Hentai · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Interesting. I'm thinking a bit further ahead, though.

    Can we grow *DIFFERENT* bones than we have now? I wouldn't mind longer legs (statistically, being taller means being treated better, getting a better salary, and all sorts of social perks).

    Moreso, can we grow, say, digigrade running legs so I can get a 30 mph stride? How about growing new, hyper-extensible joints that don't get arthritis, don't dislocate painfully, and can turn anyone into a contortionist?

    --
    -Hentai [in vita non pacem est]