Metastructure-Driven Innovation & Translation of Bone Graft Materials and Devices

Large segmental bone defects caused by trauma, tumor resection and spinal fusion remain tough clinical problems. Traditional granular bone grafts show poor stacking stability and unmatched degradation performance, and conventional bulk scaffolds cannot fit irregular defect shapes well. This work adopts a metastructure‑driven strategy to develop advanced bone graft devices for clinical translation by rationally designing mesoscale topologies to tune mechanical properties, mass transport and biological responses.

Three research modules are reported. First, dovetail‑interlocked double‑tetrahedral granular micro‑scaffolds are parametrically designed and manufactured via DLP photopolymerization of AW bioactive glass slurry. DEM and CFD simulations characterize their stacking stability and shear stress distribution. Second, hybrid constructs combining granular filling and degradable zinc Spinodal‑topology outer frames are assessed for degradation in simulated body fluid. Third, integrated barrier‑functional scaffolds with degradable shells and inner lattices are validated through in‑vitro and in‑vivo experiments.

Results show interlocked granules possess superior stacking behaviour. AW bioactive glass micro‑scaffolds achieve high fabrication precision and degradation kinetics matched to bone repair. The zinc frame offers favourable mechanics, ion release and mass transport. The integrated scaffold blocks early soft‑tissue invasion and facilitates later vascularization. This work proves that metastructure topology can dictate multi‑functional performance for bone regeneration applications.

Wang Chao, Associate Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, and Distinguished Researcher of the “Medical‑Engineering Hundred Talents” Program. His long‑term research focuses on fundamental research and clinical translation of oral and craniomaxillofacial diseases based on biomechanics and additive manufacturing.

He has presided over 4 projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2 projects from the Beijing Natural Science Foundation, and 2 foreign‑expert projects of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. He has also participated in 2 key R&D programs of the Ministry of Science and Technology and several other provincial‑ministerial projects. He has published more than 70 international SCI papers, obtained 24 authorized patents, and led or participated in the formulation of 20 standards. His research achievements have completed FIM clinical translation in top‑tier hospitals including Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University Stomatological Hospital, and the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. He has been awarded the First Prize of the Natural Science Award of the Ministry of Education and the Third Prize of the Science and Technology Award of the Chinese Stomatological Association, among other provincial‑ministerial science and technology awards.

He serves as a peer reviewer for the National Natural Science Foundation of China, member of the Youth Expert Committee / standing member of the Biomanufacturing Expert Committee (Biology Working Group) of China Additive Manufacturing Industry Alliance, committee member of the Advanced Manufacturing for Biomaterials Branch and Biomaterial Biomechanics Branch of the Chinese Society for Biomaterials, and expert of the Additive‑Manufacturing Medical Device Committee of China Medical Device Industry Association, as well as other academic appointments.