Customization of load-bearing hydroxyapatite lattice scaffolds

Robocasting, a solid freeform fabrication technique, was used to develop lattices of hydroxyapatite (HA) that show promise as load-bearing scaffolds for bone repair. Additionally, the lattice scaffolds can be shaped into customized implants. A computed tomography (CT) scan of a damaged mandible was utilized to noninvasively design a lattice implant that could fill the damaged region. In a case study, the fit of the custom lattice scaffold was tested in a damaged mandible and "fit like a glove." Such implants may be able to replace numerous autograft procedures, thereby reducing surgical cost and complications associated with bone harvesting surgery.