Personalised 3D-printed bone implant shows potential of advanced manufacturing in MedTech
A hospital–university team in Madrid has developed a personalised titanium metamaterial implant using 3D printing and digital-twin techniques, demonstrating how advanced manufacturing can enable patient-specific MedTech solutions.
Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid, working with engineers from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, has developed and implanted a personalised bone prosthesis designed for a patient with a high-grade tibial sarcoma who could not use a conventional implant.
The implant uses a titanium metamaterial structure manufactured through 3D printing to reproduce key mechanical characteristics of natural bone. Rather than relying on a solid component, the internal lattice is designed to distribute loads in a way that more closely resembles bone tissue and to support integration with the patient’s remaining bone.
The team used medical imaging to create a digital model of the patient’s anatomy and simulated the loads experienced during activities such as walking and climbing stairs. This allowed the implant geometry and fixation points to be tailored to the individual patient before manufacture.
The case brings together several technologies that are increasingly important to advanced MedTech development: additive manufacturing, advanced materials, simulation, digital twins and highly personalised product design. It also demonstrates the value of combining clinical knowledge with specialist engineering and manufacturing capability.
For NWCAM2, this is a useful example of how access to advanced manufacturing expertise can open new development routes for health and life-science innovators. The programme supports eligible SMEs to work with academic and applied-research partners on technical challenges involving areas such as advanced materials, additive manufacturing, digital technologies and product development.
Original article
Euronews: Madrid hospital creates first bone metamaterial prosthesis, prevents leg amputation