AMBER to develop 3D bioprinted implants for arthritic patients

August 23, 2018 3D Printing, Arthritis, Depuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson, Medical Research, Orthopedics, Regenerative Medicine

The Advanced Materials + BioEngineering Research (AMBER) center, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is undertaking a project to develop 3D bioprinted implants for people suffering from osteoarthritis.

Made to regenerate rather than replace diseased joints, these implants could be an innovative solution for medical problems that affect over 900,000 people in the Republic of Ireland, and around 28.9% of the UK population alone.

Regenerate rather than replace

This project is the latest news from AMBER’s 3D bioprinting lab. With plans announced in 2018, the $4.9 million (€4.3 million) facility is the product of a collaboration between AMBER and multinational medical device and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson.

In the project, the AMBER team plans to create a hybrid implant containing a titanium core. To promote regeneration, the implant will be seeded with patient tissue – presumable 3D bioprintied in the lab.

In an article in Irish Times Professor Danny Kelly, lead principal investigator on the project at AMBER, explains, “Theoretically at least we can begin to print new tissues or organs to potentially treat diseases like arthritis,”

“So instead of replacing the joint with a piece of metal we could replace it with a piece of lab-grown bone or cartilage that could regenerate that joint.”

By Beau Jackson | 3D Printing Industry

Image Credit: Beau Jackson / 3D Printing Industry

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About Peter Coffaro 605 Articles

A growth-driven and strategic executive, Peter Coffaro commands more than 20 years of progressive management success within the medical device industry. As a District Sales Manager for Stryker Orthopaedics, Peter was responsible for managing and directing a regional sales force to achieve sales and profit goals within the Rocky Mountain region. Previously, he was the Director of Sales & Marketing for Amp Orthopedics. In this role, Peter was responsible for planning, developing, and leading all sales and marketing initiatives. Peter is a former orthopedic distributor in the Pacific Northwest. He has also worked with DePuy Orthopaedics as well as Zimmer, and held positions in sales, sales training, and sales management. Peter has an extensive background in organizational development, business development, sales management, negotiating and P&L management. Peter holds a B.S. degree in Biology from Northern Illinois University.