Gregorio Marañón Hospital implants world's first metamaterial bone prosthesis

The Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, in collaboration with the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, has successfully implanted the world’s first personalized metamaterial bone prosthesis. The technology, adapted from the aerospace industry, uses 3D-printed titanium to recreate the mechanical properties and structure of human bone.

The procedure was performed on a 38-year-old patient, Pierre Chazel, who suffered from a high-grade bone sarcoma in his tibia. Due to previous infections and severe loss of bone density, conventional implants were not viable, making amputation a likely outcome. The new metamaterial implant, consisting of a network of millimeter-scale titanium rods, allows the patient to preserve both his leg and knee joint.

Key advantages of this technology include a significant reduction in weight—weighing only approximately 300 grams compared to several kilograms for standard prostheses—and increased strength, with simulations indicating it can support over 500 kilograms. The hollow structure also allows for bone grafting, facilitating better integration with the body and reducing the risk of mechanical rejection. This innovation aims to provide hyper-personalized medical solutions within the public healthcare system.