3D technology is able to print almost everything today, and Joints have just added to list. Although, they were discovered earlier, the new biocompatibility of these new joints structure is really worth-noting. Scientists at Mount Sinai Centre are already preparing the 3d printed joints that can mimic patient's own joints.

A team of researchers at Rowan University, New Jersey, is developing smart Replacement-Joints for patients that will fight off infection with pre-loaded drug delivery system in them. Printable in 3-16 hrs, these replacement pieces are bio-compatible and will be loaded with anti-biotics that will be released automatically if infection is suspected.

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, a global leader in musculoskeletal healthcare received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Unite3D™ Bridge Fixation System. It is a 3D-printed technology designed to offer stability in foot and ankle arthrodesis (joint fusion) surgery and includes an osteo-conductive matrix designed to provide for biological incorporation.

A 60-year-old man in Croatia had been suffering from an infection in his shoulder, resulting in him losing bone mass and mobility of his shoulder joint. A team of surgeons led by Nikola Matejčić, MD at the Clinic for Orthopaedics in Lovran, implanted a 3D Printed Shoulder which was created using a technology of additive manufacturing, namely the Trabecular Titanium 3D printing technology.

Dr. Christina Salas, PhD, a scientist at the University of New Mexico, is working on 3D Printed Ligaments which can allow for less-invasive surgery, and could be a more permanent solution as the synthetic 3D printed ligament would not wear out or weaken. Using the CT or MRI scan of patient’s damaged joint, an exact replica using 3D Bioprinting can be produced for replacement, and Dr. Salas has received a two-year, $150,000 grant for the research.

A group of researchers describe how they designed a novel multi-tool snake-like robot, called the i2 Snake (Intuitive Imaging Sensing Navigated and Kinematically Enhanced robot) for minimally invasive intraluminal surgery. They used a rolling-joint design, a bio-inspired mechanism that consists of two circular surfaces rolling against each other, however, standard rolling joints could slip, resulting in control inaccuracies or a dislocated joint. The researchers used an Mlab 3D printer from Concept Laser to manufacture a prototype of the optimized rolling joint which was then characterized in terms of precision and manipulation forces.

Dr. Pardraig Strappe, a microbiologist in central Queensland along with a team of researchers at CQUniversity, is using 3D printing, human stem cells, and crocodile cartilage to develop a 3D Printed Joint Cartilage to treat arthritis and joint injuries. The process involves extracting growth factors from crocodile cartilage, removing the proteins that set off a human immune response and adding adult stem cells using CELLINK 3D bioprinter.

Researchers at the Istituto Orthopedico in Rizzoli, Bologna made an attempt to improve on current methods for making tissue repairs and replacement by creating 3D Printed Meniscus Prototype. Using the real MRI Scans and converting them to .stl file, then proceeding to create a model from which to make the meniscus prototype and resulting scaffolds. The researchers used the 3D printed model of the knee to assist in reconstruction of the meniscus. They used a series of 2D cross sections to create tool paths, using LifeInk 200 bio-ink as the material for printing cells, and then 3D Printing the final product of Meniscus Prototype.