MSU and AddiTec collaborate on biocompatible bone implants

Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal, a professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU), Department of Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology, has partnered with Additive Technologies (AddiTec), a founding partner of Meltio, an additive manufacturing company pioneering the development of affordable metal 3D printing systems, to develop new ways to produce biocompatible bone implants with improved properties.

“We are very excited for this collaboration between MSU Mankato and AddiTec. This partnership will allow us to test and expand the boundaries of additive manufacturing in developing new and unique materials which can improve human life,” said Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal.

Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal teaches in the areas of Manufacturing Processes, Project Management, Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing. He works with local and regional industry partners in process and product design, development and improvement. He has published widely in areas of additive manufacturing and metal forming.

AM has shown successful applications in several fields such as the biomedical sector. This technology provides a relatively fast and effective way to solve complex medical cases. In recent years, AM technologies have sparked intense interest in developing medical implants, devices, and scaffolds. The titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V has been extensively employed in biocompatible bone implants like orthopedic–prosthetic replacements due to its superior corrosion resistance and biocompatibility combined with excellent mechanical properties. However, titanium and titanium alloys still do not provide all the ideal implant properties and performance required in standard clinical practice.

Thus, Agarwal in collaboration with AddiTec plans to enhance Ti-6Al-4V implant properties by incorporating alloying elements such as tricalcium phosphate (TCP) into the Ti-6Al-4V melt pool matrix which cannot be done conventionally. This approach increases biomaterial properties and provides favorable conditions to the bone marrow.

“Meltio’s LMD technology is versatile, and we are seeing an interest in the medical sector from a lot of our customers. We are thrilled to be working with Dr. Agarwal, and this collaboration will help us understand the requirements and qualification standards for developing medical implants,” said Dr. Yash Bandari, Business Development Manager at AddiTec.