3D-Printed Human Bones of the Day

3D-Printed Human Bones of the Day:

3D-Printed Human Bones of the Day: A team of researchers at Washington State University has figured out how to 3D-print human bones.

Susmita Bose and her husband, Amit Bandyopadhyay, have successfully tested their printed bones — made of a bone-like ceramic — in small animals. They also discovered that human bone cells will grow around the artificial bone scaffolds, and the scaffolds will harmlessly dissolve underneath.

The artificial bones don’t bear enough weight to be effectively used in a medical setting, and Bose says that load-bearing versions are still a ways off. She does think it won’t be long before 3D printers are used in hospitals, though.

[atlantic]