Application of fused deposition modeling (FDM) on bone scaffold manufacturing process: A review

Abstract

Some of the health issues that are becoming more prevalent each year include bone disease and fractures. Because the natural healing process of bones takes a long time, a bone grafting procedure is required so that the patient’s condition can improve rapidly. Because bone grafting procedures such as autographs, allographs, and xenografts have limits, bone replacement is constructed by employing biomaterials in the form of a bone scaffold via additive manufacturing. As a result, fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a proposed technology for the manufacturing process because it is straightforward, capable of producing complex parts and adjustable shapes, and has minimal operational expenses. However, implementing this technique is challenging because of the scarcity of biocompatible and bioactive materials that are suited. This technology has a number of limitations, including a limited variety of biocompatible and bioactive materials, the most appropriate microarchitecture of bone scaffold, and the establishment of printing parameters that can produce bone scaffold with the strongest mechanical properties. This article discusses current advancements in the use of FDM technologies for bone scaffold production.