Abstract: Objective Due to the problem of individual matching, exclusivity and loose with pure mechanical fixation for artificial hemi-knee joints made by traditional method, a new manufacturing process based on rapid prototyping technique and custom-made concept is presented.MethodsRapid prototyping was processed to rapidly and accurately shape the prototype of an artificial implant almost with the same shape as the hemi-knee joint of the patient, and the process based on Titanium alloy centrifugal casting technology and biomaterial sintering molding technology was used to fabricate the artificial hemi-knee joint and bioactive proximal tibia artificial bone, respectively.Results and ConclusionThe custom-made knee joint prosthesis has been fabricated and put into clinical use successfully. In comparison with the traditional implants, this system can realize the well matching movement between the artificial hemi-knee joint and its opposite. Meanwhile,the design of functional holes and tibial nails realizes the combination of biological fixation with mechanical fixation for the artificial implant,and the use of bioactive artificial bone promotes bone growth and minimizes the exclusive reaction.

Key words: rapid prototyping, custom-made, artificial hemi-knee joint, bioactive proximal tibia artificial bone, centrifugal casting, sintering molding