Shape-fit 3D printed mineralized membrane for guided bone regeneration in long bone defects

Segmental large-sized long bone defects remain a significant challenge in clinical practice. The standard treatment, involving autologous or allogeneic graft implantation, is often insufficient due to the limited availability of donor bone. As an alternative therapy for long bone defects, guided bone regeneration (GBR) presents a promising approach, effectively enhancing bone augmentation by preventing bone defects from soft tissue infiltration and facilitating osteoblast migration. This technique employs a biomaterial membrane as a protective barrier on the bone surface, promoting osteogenesis. This study proposed a GBR membrane designed specifically for long bone defects for fabrication. A photocurable hydrogel and light-processing 3D printing, based on 3D-scanned long bone models, were utilized to achieve fabrication. A mineralization-inducing compound was also incorporated into the material to enhance cell adhesion and osteogenesis. The 3D-printed GBR membranes demonstrated precise attachment to the long bone surface, confirming successful fabrication. The efficacy of the 3D-printed GBR membranes was evaluated in rabbit radius bone defect models.