Man-made bone

Researchers at Warwick University have developed a technique to produce synthetic bone from methods normally used to make catalytic converters for cars.

The technology is being developed by Dr Kajal Mallick of the university’s Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and postgraduate researcher James Meredith. The pair believes the process could offer a range of benefits to patients undergoing bone implant surgery.

The process works by shaping the implant material through a mould to produce a 3D honeycomb texture. This mould has uniform pores throughout and can be sculpted by surgeons to accurately match the defect.

Following implantation, bone cells can be transported into the implant to form new bone. Over a period of time, the researchers expect that the synthetic bone will dissolve to leave natural bone behind.

Dr Mallick said: ‘We worked with a Japanese company that manufactures catalytic converters and used its facility to produce samples that we could then test in the laboratory.