Implanting artificial bones has been practiced for a long time, and while metal and ceramic implants have been the best substitutes, scientists in Italy have garnered a new procedure wherein blocks of wood are transformed into artificial bones. A much more feasible substitute that will allow live bones to heal faster, wood is planned to be tested in large animals before it eventually reaches humans.
The wood used in the procedure is picked from red oak, rattan and sipo. Once selected the wood is heated until it turns into pure carbon, upon which calcium is sprayed, creating calcium carbide. Calcium carbide is then treated with some other chemicals to form carbonated hydroxyapatite, which finally serves as the artificial bone. The entire production procedure takes about one week and costs about $850 for a single block.
Via: Discovery
