GNDC develops implants with 3-D printing

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 11

Now, in case of broken bones or hip joints, the pre-sized rods or joint implants are available in the market. But the faculty and researchers at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College are making exact sizes for the needed bones, joints, which are needed in the body, through the 3-D printing.

The faculty members say through this 3-D printing it is possible to get implants according to the requirements and shapes.

The implants made from the designs developed through this method can be implanted in the body exactly according to the required size, shape and proportion. This technique is not only comfortable but also reduces cost and time, says Dr Rupinder Singh, Professor in Production Engineering Department at the college.

Such implants can also be used in case of bone deformity also. These are possible through the 3-D imaging and development of the implants through 3-D printers, exactly according to the required size.

Artificial limbs can also be made through this technique which are designed according to the requirement.

The college is collaborating with universities in Malaysia and Singapore to take the project to the next level. In fact, we are starting a project with a university in Singapore as well as in Malaysia under ASEAN-Indian collaborative project, to research on the project to enable growth of “cells” on the implants, says Dr Rupinder Singh.

Titled ‘Development of HAP-Reinforced Biodegradable porous structure through polymer deposition for tissue engineering’, the proposal for the project sent by the college to the Central Government. In response to this, it has received a grant of Rs 98 lakh for the project from Department of Science and Technology.

“As of now, titanium implants are available, but what will be the path breaking step in this direction, is that we will research to see the growth of cells on these implants, so the 3-D printed implants will behave as these are part of the body,” he says.

He further explained, “For example, tooth set which is usually fitted in the mouth of elderly, cannot remain stable due to age factor, but if body cells grow on implanted gums, these will be held to the skin as if naturally,” Dr Rupinder Singh said. “This will be a pioneering development in biomedical field,” he further said.