Japanese researchers develop easy-to-fit 'sponge' artificial bone

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2004

TOKYO (AFP) — A Japanese research group has developed a sponge-like artificial bone that can be shaped using scissors for an easy fit inside the body and is transformed into real bone within months.

The artificial product could free patients from the painful of surgery of cutting healthy bone to be transplanted elsewhere in their bodies.

"The bone is soft and can be cut by scissors just like sponge," said a spokesman at precision machinery maker Pentax.

"We hope to start selling the product in late 2007 or maybe early 2008," the spokesman said.

Animal experiments are underway. A two-centimeter (0.8-inch) bone transplant in a dog was confirmed to have been replaced by real bone in three months, Pentax said.

"As metabolism is constantly taking...