Flexible 3D‑printed biodegradable implants for large breast reconstruction
Advanced 3D auxetic biodegradable implant for large volume breast reconstruction
A flexible, biodegradable 3D‑printed implant designed to help women who need large‑volume breast reconstruction after cancer surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248043 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing a 3D‑printed, auxetic (highly flexible) biodegradable implant to support regeneration of large volumes of breast tissue after mastectomy. The team will scale up the implant geometry and test its mechanical behavior using computer simulations, micro‑CT imaging, and lab mechanical tests to match native fat tissue properties. They will also measure biological performance in laboratory models to see whether the design supports tissue in‑growth and blood vessel formation. The work is primarily preclinical to optimize the implant before any future human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women who require large‑volume breast reconstruction after mastectomy or major tissue loss and who are seeking alternatives to permanent silicone or saline implants would be the likely future candidates.
Not a fit: People seeking cosmetic breast augmentation without tissue loss, those needing only small-volume correction, or individuals with contraindications to implantable biomaterials are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a biodegradable implant that better matches natural breast tissue, reduces long‑term complications from permanent silicone/saline implants, and promotes the body’s own tissue regeneration.
How similar studies have performed: Biodegradable scaffold approaches have shown promise but often regenerate limited tissue volume because of poor vascular ingrowth, and this auxetic large‑scale design represents a newer, largely preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, Jeong Hun — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Park, Jeong Hun
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.