Three-Dimensional Printing and Biomaterials for Medical Applications

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis of Biomaterials via Advanced Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 848

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Engineering, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Interests: additive manufacturing; biomaterials; artificial intelligence; tissue engineering; 3D printing; integrated micro-/biomanufacturing

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Engineering, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Interests: hybrid nano-/micro- and biomanufacturing; regenerative tissue engineering and drug delivery; multiscale and multiphysics modeling; combinatorial additive manufacturing; digital smart manufacturing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled ‘Three-dimensional Printing and Biomaterials for Medical Applications’, welcomes original research articles, reviews, and communications and that highlight both experimental and computational approaches. Key emphasis is on novel biomaterials, scaffold-based tissue engineering, and regeneration medicine. The next decade is expected to see a tremendous revolution in 3D bioprinting medicine through the integration of advanced biomaterials, regenerative biology, and artificial intelligence (AI). The integration of 3D printing with advanced biomaterials is revolutionizing the landscape of biomedical applications, enabling the evolution of customized, biocompatible, and functional tissue constructs and medical devices. The role of nanomaterials, composite, and ceramic-enhanced formulations are crucial in tissue engineering applications. In physiological environments, the physicochemical characteristics of these materials such as porosity, surface chemistry, and degradation profile play a pivotal role in determining their performance and biocompatibility.

This Special Issue serves as a multidisciplinary platform that brings together experts from bioengineering, material science, computer science, and clinical research, offering integrated perspectives that go beyond proof-of-concept to include reproducibility, scalability, and long-term functionality. The primary focus is on how the amalgamation of advanced biomaterials and 3D printing is transforming diagnostics, therapeutics, prosthetics, and regenerative medicine. This Special Issue aims to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge research for 3D printing and biomaterials for personalized, smart medical solutions through the synergy of biomaterials science, AI, regenerative medicine, and 3D printing.

Key areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Design and development of printable biomaterials (e.g., hydrogels, biopolymers, composites, and ceramics) with enhanced bio-functionality.
  • Biomaterials tailored for 3D bioprinting techniques (e.g., extrusion-based, stereolithography, laser sintering, two-photon polymerization, electrohydrodynamic, ink-jetting).
  • In vitro and in vivo evaluation of 3D-printed biomaterial systems.
  • Biodegradability, mechanical performance, and biological response of 3D-printed constructs.
  • Biomaterial innovations for patient-specific implants, tissue scaffolds, and regenerative medicine.
  • Controlled drug delivery platforms developed using 3D-printed biomaterials.
  • Interaction of 3D-printed biomaterials with living tissues and physiological environments.
  • Regulatory, translational, and clinical aspects of biomaterials for 3D-printed medical applications.

Dr. Santosh Kumar Parupelli
Dr. Salil Desai
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • biomaterials
  • 3D printing
  • tissue engineering
  • regenerative medicine
  • biomedical devices

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 8391 KB  
Article
Short Expandable-Wing Suture Anchor for Osteoporotic and Small Bone Fixation: Validation in a 3D-Printed Coracoclavicular Reconstruction Model
by Chia-Hung Tsai, Shao-Fu Huang, Rong-Chen Lin, Pao-Wei Lee, Cheng-Ying Lee and Chun-Li Lin
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(10), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16100379 - 10 Oct 2025
Viewed by 665
Abstract
Suture anchors are widely used for tendon and ligament repair, but their fixation strength is compromised in osteoporotic bone and limited bone volume such as the coracoid process. Existing designs are prone to penetration and insufficient cortical engagement under such conditions. In this [...] Read more.
Suture anchors are widely used for tendon and ligament repair, but their fixation strength is compromised in osteoporotic bone and limited bone volume such as the coracoid process. Existing designs are prone to penetration and insufficient cortical engagement under such conditions. In this study, we developed a novel short expandable-wing (SEW) suture anchor (Ti6Al4V) designed to enhance pull-out resistance through a deployable wing mechanism that locks directly against the cortical bone. Finite element analysis based on CT-derived bone material properties demonstrated reduced intra-bone displacement and improved load transfer with the SEW compared to conventional anchors. Mechanical testing using matched artificial bone surrogates (N = 3 per group) demonstrated significantly higher static pull-out strength in both normal (581 N) and osteoporotic bone (377 N) relative to controls (p < 0.05). Although the sample size was limited, results were consistent and statistically significant. After cyclic loading, SEW anchor fixation strength increased by 25–56%. In a 3D-printed anatomical coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction model, the SEW anchor provided nearly double the fixation strength of the hook plate, underscoring its superior stability under high-demand clinical conditions. This straightforward implantation protocol—requiring only a 5 mm drill hole without tapping, followed by direct insertion and knob-driven wing deployment—facilitates seamless integration into existing surgical workflows. Overall, the SEW anchor addresses key limitations of existing anchor designs in small bone volume and osteoporotic environments, demonstrating strong potential for clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Three-Dimensional Printing and Biomaterials for Medical Applications)
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