Materials
Calcium phosphates are bioresorbable, meaning they are broken down by the body and replaced by natural tissue. They are therefore among the established materials for bone replacement in regenerative medicine.
For the LCM process (Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing), we offer a broad range of high-performance ceramics for applications in industry, aerospace, medicine, and dental technology. A broad material portfolio is available: besides calcium phosphates for bone replacement (LithaBone) the most-used printable ceramics are alumina (LithaLox), zirconia (LithaCon), composite ceramics (ATZ and ZTA), silicon nitride (LithaNit), silica-based ceramics materials (LithaCore) and aluminum nitride (LithaFlux). The LithaBone calciumphosphates offered are Tricalciumphosphate and hydroxy apatite, they are characterized by their bioresorbability and are ideally suited for bone implants. We are also continuously developing innovative materials, most recently high-dielectric ceramics, piezoceramics, and LithaGlass, a quartz-glass-based material.
Yes. Materials produced using LCM technology meet or exceed the mechanical performance and reproducibility of conventionally manufactured components. After 3D printing, the organic binder is completely burned out and the component is sintered, leaving behind pure calcium phosphate ceramic. For bioresorbable materials such as calcium phosphate (LithaBone), a defined pore structure and geometry are crucial, as they determine how quickly bone cells grow into the implant and how rapidly the material is resorbed. This is where the LCM process offers a major advantage: pore size and geometry can be exactly defined in a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model and manufactured with high precision.
Yes. LCM technology enables the stringent standards required for medical applications to be met. All our ceramic materials are certified according to ISO 13485. LithaBone TCP 300 uses exclusively ASTM F1088-certified TCP (tricalcium phosphate) powder suitable for human implants. The sintered components are non-cytotoxic according to ISO 10993-5.
Yes. For ceramic components the LCM process enables an unprecedented level of detail and design freedom. The alumina LithaLox 360 for instance is designed for ultra-fine structures, while LithaCon ATZ 980 is optimized for high wall thicknesses. For calcium phosphates, the focus lies on a defined pore structure that enables bone ingrowth: pores, channels, and lattice structures can be manufactured precisely according to CAD specifications in order to more precisely manage the healing process.
