3D Printed Materials Could Reduce Infections after Joint Replacements

Inside Precision Medicine November 20, 2023
Helen Albert

Research led by Washington State University shows a new 3D printed material could help reduce infections linked to medical implants such as knee and hip joint replacements in the future.

As reported in the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, the researchers added a small amount of a corrosion-resistant metal called tantalum and copper to a titanium alloy, which is the material commonly used to make joint replacements and other implants.

Although great care is taken to reduce infection risk during joint replacement surgery, a small (one to two percent) but significant number of patients develop an infection at the site of the surgery due to bacterial colonization of the implant, which can be very serious and cause the new joint...

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