Design approaches and challenges for biodegradable bone implants: a review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Biodegradable materials have been at the forefront of cutting-edge research and offer a truly viable option in the designing and manufacturing of bone implants in biomedical engineering. Most research regarding these materials has focused on their biological characteristics and mechanical behavior vis-à-vis nonbiodegradable (NB) materials; but the design aspects and parametric configurations of biodegradable bone implant have somehow not received as much attention as they deserved.

Area covered: This review aims to develop insight into the parametrically conceptualized design of biodegradable bone implant and takes into due consideration the characteristics of bone-biodegradable implant interface (BBII), design techniques employed for conventionally used bone implants to optimize parameters using standard test methods, traditional design, and finite element analysis approaches for implant and healing behavior, manufacturing techniques, real-time surgical simulations, and so on.

Expert opinion: Some successful and conventionally used NB bone implants do not dissolve or degrade with time and require removal through a complicated surgery after fulfilling the intended objectives. These bone implants should be reconceptualized and designed with an appropriate biodegradable material while paying due attention to all factors/parameters involved and striking a balance between these factors with the ultimate objective of fulfilling all desired orthopedic requirements.

KEYWORDS:

• Biomedical
• orthopedics
• design
• biodegradable bone implants
• FEM

Article highlights

• The key role played by Bone-biodegradable Implant Interface (BBII) in evolving a novel design approach aimed at developing a superior, optimum biodegradable implant.

• The significance of Finite Element Analysis in arriving at and validating findings in accordance with real-time surgical simulations for structural capability and good healing performance.

• Employing Intelligent Manufacturing (Industry 4.0) in manufacturing biodegradable implants for specific orthopadic applications.

• Need for Complete Biodegradation of the Implant within a time frame for avoidance of re-surgeries.

• Upgradation of the design of Locking Compression Plate (LCP) to act as a potential game changer in orthopedics.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal (INDIA), for the facilities extended.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.