Creating a natural bone with 3D printing is challenging. The problem with creating bioprinted bones is that the materials needed to create them have yet to be developed. Researchers from the Southern Medical University in Guangdong China developed pure bone structures using 3D bioprinting.

Led by Professor Huang Wenhua, the researchers were able to create the bioprinted bones using bone powder and bio-glue. Unlike most bone implants that are made from titanium powder, the researchers were the first to develop the structures using pure bone material. The bone powder is allogeneic which means that it will be made from the same biological species thus making it more compatible for humans.

The benefit of this new technique is that unlike 3D printed titanium implants, the 3D printed pure bone structure will not be rejected by the body; thus it will help patients have faster recovery with fewer risks involved.

To test the new technique, the researchers are still testing different ways to create a natural replica of the human bone. So far, the team was able to successfully print rabbit and goat bones but it will be soon when they will be able to create human bones to suffice the need for bone implants in the country.

While the research still has a long way to go, the researchers are very optimistic that they will be able to use the new 3D printed bones in real medical cases in the following years. For now, they are contented in testing the new materials in the laboratory.