With the emergence of 3D printing technology and its role in various industries such as medicine, electronics manufacturing and engineering, a Chinese firm is taking advantage of a printing process called Filament Free Printing (FFP) to enable 3D printing of complex and artificial bone structures.

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With the use of this printing process, scientists at Xi'an Particle Cloud Advanced Materials Technology Co., Ltd recently implanted an artificial bone into a rabbit at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Xijing Hospital in Xi'an, China.

Their results show the growth of new cells on the surface of the bone, according to a report.

The Chinese company is currently looking for potential investors and partners in an effort to take 3D printing of artificial bone technology out into the market. It also plans to start human clinical trials of artificial bone implant by this month.

To demonstrate the potential use of this technology to investors and specialists in the healthcare industry, the Chinese firm recently introduced a new printer called the "PCPrinter BCTM 3D printer" and unveiled its concepts.

Jess Li of Xi'an Particle Cloud said the new printer can offer patients customized artificial bone, depending on sizes and shapes. He added that it is utilized in the regeneration of bone tissues and biological soft tissues.

The scientists said the artificial bone is biodegradable and has the potential to help people that suffer from bone loss including diseases such as invasive tumors.

This is not the first time for scientists to conduct human clinical trials of artificial bone implant. Doctors from the Peking University Third Hospital (PUTH) in Beijing have already successfully implanted a 3D printed artificial axis (vertebra) into the neck of a 12 year old boy back in 2014.

3D printing technology has been very useful for many manufacturing and industrial applications. Another Chinese firm, Haier Group, unveiled what it claims to be the world's first 3D printed air conditioner at an event held in Shanghai, China last March.

Haier's new product enables users to completely customize the design and function of the 3D printed air conditioner.

TagsHaier, 3D Printing, artificial bone implant, medicine, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an Particle, 3D-printer