Page 552 - IJB-10-2

International

Journal of Bioprinting

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Optimizing implant lattice design for large distal

femur defects: Stimulating interface bone growth
to enhance osseointegration

Chun-Ming Chang , Pei-Chun Wong , Sin-Liang Ou , Chih-En Ko ,
2
1
4
3
and Yu-Tzu Wang *
4
1 Taiwan Instrument Research Institute, National Applied Research Laboratories, Hsinchu, Taiwan
2 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Optomechatronics, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei
Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
3 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Da-Yeh University, Changhua, Taiwan
4 Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, TamKang University, New Taipei
City, Taiwan

Abstract

Large bone defects in the distal femur present a significant challenge due to the
lack of inherent self-healing capabilities. Traditional approaches, such as utilizing
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in conjunction with a plate for distal femur
reconstruction, have shown unsatisfactory osseointegration outcome, which leads
to complications. To address this challenge, this study focuses on developing a
lattice-structured implant for reconstructing distal femoral bone defects. The lattice
geometry is based on the cuboctahedron lattice, with its design optimized through
*Corresponding author: the adjustment of pillar diameter and arrangement angle. The lattice structure is
Yu-Tzu Wang designed to stimulate the surrounding bone, ultimately enhancing osseointegration
(YTLWH@mail.tku.edu.tw)
in distal femur reconstruction. Finite element analysis revealed that for promoting
Citation: Chang C-M, Wong bone ingrowth toward the implant, setting the optimal lattice structure parameters,
P-C, Ou S-L, Ko C-E, Wang Y-T.
Optimizing implant lattice design i.e., a 45° arrangement angle and a 0.8 mm pillar diameter, is required. Fabricated
for large distal femur defects: using state-of-the-art metal three-dimensional printing, the implant underwent
Stimulating interface bone growth rigorous validation through biomechanical testing, in vitro biological assays, and
to enhance osseointegration.
Int J Bioprint. 2024;10(2):2590. animal experiments. The comprehensive results affirmed the bioactivity of the
doi: 10.36922/ijb.2590 lattice-structured implant, underscoring its capability to improve osseointegration
in distal femoral defect reconstruction.
Received: December 20, 2023
Accepted: February 20, 2024
Published Online: March 21, 2024
Keywords: Lattice; Osseointegration; Bone strain; Osteoconductive; Distal femur;
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). Mechanical behavior
This is an Open Access article
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, 1. Introduction
provided the original work is
properly cited. Bone defects in the distal femur can arise from accidental injuries or tumor resection.
1
2-3
Publisher’s Note: AccScience Regrettably, complete self-healing in the case of large bone defects remains unattainable.
Publishing remains neutral with A commonly employed approach for reconstructing and stabilizing larger distal femur
regard to jurisdictional claims in
4-5
published maps and institutional defects involves using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in combination with a plate.
affiliations. However, the exothermic polymerization process of PMMA has the potential to induce

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 544 doi: 10.36922/ijb.2590