Fused Filament Fabrication of Biodegradable Materials for Implants

Biodegradable materials receive increasing interest in medical technology, wherever applicable sensibly. Bone-related implant applications can be met with powder technological approaches, if such implants consist of biocompatible metals or ceramics. In case of biodegradable implants, the underlying desire is to omit the need for removal surgeries, which may arise for long-term implants or for children, still in their growth. This spares the patient additional surgical treatment. Of course, patient-specific implants directly relate to 3D printing. We combine the technological possibilities of fused filament fabrication (FFF) with biodegradable materials. Two material concepts, a metal-ceramic composite of iron and tricalcium phosphate, and a bioceramic based on calcium phosphate were used for FFF of sintered parts, applicable e.g. in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Feedstock and process adaptions were carried out and lead to very promising results in both cases. A potential future workflow concept for implant manufacturing was developed on this basis.