Researchers at UMass Medical School, US, have developed an inexpensive, synthetic bone material that can be used to repair complex fractures and large areas of bone loss.
Researchers created the material, called FlexBone, by combining bone mineral nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and a hydrogel, which is similar to the material used in the contact lenses.
According to the researchers, the FlexBone can be easily cut or shaped before or during surgery and can be pressed into the bone gap to provide ideal scaffolding for new bone growth.
The material's density allows surgeons to pre-drill channels in it, enabling the bone marrow cells from the adjacent bone to migrate and facilitate new bone growth.
FlexBone can also be loaded with therapeutic agents such as protein factors and antibiotics to induce faster healing.
Researchers are currently planning to conduct large animal trials to test the material's safety and efficacy.
