More and more people are using customized 3D-printed medical implants, and recent research has advanced this technique.

The first laser 3D-printed complete knee implant in history was created by Naton Biotechnology researchers, and it has been officially approved as a novel medical device by China's National Medical Products Administration. The goal of the study was to increase the cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy implants' strength and uniformity utilizing 3D printing technology called laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). In order to make the finished implants stronger, more dependable, and safer for patients, the team identified and fixed structural irregularities in the material by improving heat treatment.

Professor Jia-Kuo Yu of Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital and Professor Changhui Song of South China University of Technology served as co-corresponding authors for the study. Senior Engineer Renyao Li of Naton Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., and other team members collaborated on the study.

CoCrMo samples stretched substantially more in one direction than the other in mechanical tests—a difference of more than 100%. Because implants need to function consistently and safely under normal stressors, this discrepancy renders the material untrustworthy for long-term medical usage.

Following this discovery, researchers are now examining surface treatments to improve implants' biocompatibility and wear resistance even further. Techniques like ultrasonic peening and shot peening, which involve blasting small metal beads onto the surface, may increase implants' fatigue resistance and lengthen their lifespan under normal load. With the help of these cutting-edge therapies, 3D-printed joint implants may become even more robust and popular in clinical settings.