A collaborative effort between researchers from IOCB Prague and Ghent University in Belgium has led to advancements in the properties of gelatin-based materials, opening new possibilities for their applications, especially in the medical field. Published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials, the study introduces 3D-printable materials with enhanced monitorability through X-ray machines or computed tomography (CT).
Over the past decade, gelatin-based materials have garnered significant attention due to their ease of production, non-toxic nature, cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and their ability to promote cell growth. These qualities make them particularly valuable in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Surgeons often utilize implants made from these materials, facilitating accelerated wound healing and tissue remodeling. The breakdown of these materials in the body, however, posed a challenge for conventional imaging methods.
Addressing this limitation, researchers at IOCB Prague have incorporated a radiopaque (X-ray-contrast) agent into the gelatin-based materials. This addition allows for the tracking of the implants’ breakdown over time and provides insights into their integrity. Ondřej Groborz from the research team of Tomáš Slanina at IOCB Prague stated, “In our second article, recently published in Applied Engineering Materials, we endow the materials with X-ray and CT detectability.” This innovation holds promise for monitoring the performance of implants and ensuring their structural integrity, offering a significant advancement in the field of medical materials.
