3D printed bone nails loaded with ceftriaxone sodium for localized drug delivery

Abstract

Abstract The convergence of advanced materials science and additive manufacturing technologies has revolutionized medical applications ranging from orthodontic devices to patient-specific bone fixation systems. Despite these advancements, the clinical translation of 3D-printed orthopedic implants remains constrained by suboptimal biocompatibility of conventional manufacturing materials. This study systematically evaluates dental resin-based composites as alternative biomaterials for bone fixation devices, hypothesizing that their rapid photopolymerization kinetics, mechanical robustness, and inherent biocompatibility can address current limitations. Through stereolithography technology, ceftriaxone sodium-loaded bone fixation devices were developed with customized geometries tailored to diverse anatomical requirements. Material optimization revealed that a 7:3 ratio of ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (BPA2EODMA) to triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) achieved optimal mechanical performance. Cytocompatibility assessment using L929 fibroblasts demonstrated > 70% cell viability, confirming minimal cytotoxicity. The drug-eluting implants exhibited potent antimicrobial efficacy in 8-h elution assays, showing inhibition rates of 49.14 ± 4.89% (Staphylococcus aureus), 48.38 ± 5.88% (Escherichia coli), and 26.79 ± 2.69% (Candida albicans). These results validate the dual functionality of antibiotic-loaded dental resin constructs, positioning them as promising candidates for patient-specific orthopedic solutions that simultaneously address mechanical stability, osseointegration, and infection prevention.

Keywords

• Photopolymerization 3D printing
• Ceftriaxone sodium
• Implant
• Anti-infection