Development and Performance of 3D‐Printed Nanohydroxyapatite Polyamide 66 Artificial Vertebral Body

Bone tissue repair requires biomaterials that possess excellent biocompatibility, bioactivity, and mechanical strength. Polyamide 66 (PA 66) and nanohydroxyapatite (n‐HA) show promise as scaffolds in this field, but improving composite construction methods to enhance performance is still a key challenge. In this article, an n‐HA/PA66 composite material is prepared using a simple and environmentally friendly method. Subsequently, a patient‐specific artificial vertebra is developed utilizing advanced 3D printing techniques. Characterizations, including scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, have identified the nanostructure of n‐HA/PA66 material. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveals the covalent binding of n‐HA to PA66. Further Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analyses confirm the crystalline nature and uniformity of the material. The result of thermal stability determinations suggests that the vertebral body material remains structurally intact at temperatures below 300 °C. Compared with the traditionally made artificial vertebrae, the 3D‐printed vertebra exhibited more superior mechanical properties. It has been demonstrated that the 3D printing technique enhances the mechanical capability of n‐HA/PA66 material. By integrating n‐HA/PA 66 with 3D printing, artificial vertebrae can be custom‐designed for specific bone defect locations and sizes, addressing large bone defect issues in clinical settings and offering significant clinical potential.