on the material used.” This does not include medical fees and machine acquisition costs, design and sterilization, for example, which have been absorbed by Biofabris. NEW MATERIALS
In addition to the prosthesis customized with titanium alloys, other lines of research involving the search for new materials are developed with partner institutions. One line of research, in collaboration with UFRGS, focuses on calcium phosphate bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite, a material similar to the mineral part of bone, as well as other parts of the bone. “We do the synthesis and characterization of ceramics, and we shape the pieces in rapid prototyping equipment,” says Cecilia Zavaglia, a professor in the Department of Materials Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering (FEM), and deputy coordinator of the Institute. The ceramics we developed, known as beta tricalcium phosphates, may be used as replacement bones and teeth, in minor repairs. In vitro and in vivo tests have been performed to evaluate the biocompatibility of the material and its toxicity. The next step will be clinical trials. Other materials used in biomanufacturing are biopolymers. Molasses from sugarcane, açaí seeds and castor oil are raw materials from renewable sources used to manufacture these materials. From molasses, for example, research-
ers have obtained polylactic acid, a poly- ria Ingrid Rocha Barbosa Schiavon. mer absorbed by the body at control- She initiated the research during her lable rates. “We polymerize lactic acid postdoctoral work, which resulted in a to use as a base for a number of applica- joint patent filing with other Biofabris tions, such as tissue regeneration, artifi- researchers. From the polylactic acid obtained cial skin, and formation of cartilage and bone,” says Jardini. “This material can from sugarcane, in combination with pobe used like a scaffold for seeding cells ly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEthat need to be developed in a particu- MA), a hybrid polymer was formed as a lar location.” The polymer is processed result of Marcele Fonseca Passos’ docon a 3D printer to acquire the proper toral research, under the mentorship of format for implantation in the patient. Maciel and Carmen Gilda, of the DepartThis biopolymer is then seeded with the ment of Mechanical Engineering, at the patient’s own cells and, after growth, Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The the prosthesis can be implanted in the research led to a patent filing. The process does not require chemical agents desired location. A polyurethane was developed from and the product obtained has the potenaçaí seeds to be used as a bone pros- tial to be used in dentistry, and for the thesis, especially in the skull and facial partial regeneration of meniscus and ear cartilage. Cytotoxicareas (see Pesquisa ity tests showed the FAPESP Issue No. polymer’s biocom196). Castor oil assopatibility and it is ciated with citric acid now being tested on has also resulted in a Molasses, açaí animals at the UFPA new polymer, which seed and School of Biology in led to a patent filing. collaboration with “The castor oil was castor oil are the Evandro Chagas subjected to a reacInstitute, both in the tion with citric acid, tested as raw state of Pará. n which resulted in a cross-linked polyesmaterial for ter obtained from a prostheses polymerization process that did not involve toxic agents to Projects induce the chemical 1. Biofabris - Institute of Biomanufacturing (No. 2008/57860reaction,” says Ma3); Grant Mechanism Thematic Project - INCT; Principal Investigator Rubens Maciel Filho (Unicamp); Investment R$2,691,894.52 (FAPESP) and R$2,239,094.33 (CNPq). 2. Epoxy biopolymer synthesis from renewable sources for building biomedical devices using rapid prototyping techniques and biomanufacturing (No. 2009/16480-6); Grant Mechanism Fellowships in Brazil – Post-doctoral; Principal Investigator Rubens Maciel Filho (Unicamp); Recipient Ingrid Maria Rocha Barbosa Schiavon; Investment R$215,732.36 (FAPESP). 3. IPNs networks of pHEMA-PLA for use in tissue engineering (No. 2011/18525-7); Grant Mechanism Fellowships in Brazil - Doctorate; Principal Investigator Rubens Maciel Filho (Unicamp); Recipient Marcele Fonseca Passos; Investment R$177,978, 84 (FAPESP).
Scientific articles
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CALDERONI, D.R. et al. Paired evaluation of calvarial reconstruction with titanium implants prototyped with and without ceramic coating. Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira. V. 29, p. 579-87. 2014. JARDINI, A.L. et al. Cranial reconstruction: 3D biomodel and custom-built implant created using additive manufacturing. Journal of Cranio-maxillo-facial Surgery. V. 42, p. 1877-84. 2014. LAROSA, M.A. et al. Microstructural and mechanical characterization of a custom-built implant manufactured in titanium alloy by direct metal laser sintering. Advances in Mechanical Engineering. V. 2014. p. 1-8. 2014.
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