World's First Biodegradable Joint Implant Grows New Joints

cylonlover writes "Joint implants should always be made of materials like titanium, so they can last the lifetime of the patient ... right? Well, not according to researchers at Finland's Tampere University of Technology. They've developed a product known as RegJoint, which is reportedly the world's first biodegradable joint implant. Unlike permanent implants, it allows the patient's bone ends to remain intact, and it creates a new joint out of their own tissue."

Re:Why aren't we already using bone made bones?

[ByOhTek]

Really, it is only embryonic stem cells that ever have an issue here with banning/restriction. That isn't nearly as much of a setback now as it was 3-4 years ago. Even if you ignore the ethical issues, the setback is probably worth it - it has accelerated the development of techniques for "undifferentiated" adult stem cells so they can create more cell lineages than they could have naturally. Why is this a big deal? What kind of rejection issues will you have to face when your new transplant comes from another person's tissue? Now, what if it comes from your own? That's the advantage.

Re:The details

[muon-catalyzed]

I read TFA and they claim the damaged joint structure regenerates by itself, the copolymer is a scaffold that triggers stem cells to grow a brand new joint structure completely replacing the said copolymer with the body's own tissue after a while. In other words, that would be the holy grail of joint repair, of course, only if the stuff is really working as advertised.

Re:The details

[nitehawk214]

I'd rather have some kind of hybrid, like a titanium kneecap with this polymer connecting the end joints.

Dammit, if I'm going to get body parts replaced when I'm older I want to be able to knee someone in the head and have it sound like an aluminum bat hitting a soft ball. *tink!*

So the spectator sport of cybernetic combat will actually take the form of geriatric men brawling.

I still think it will sell, though.