By Cartago, Costa Rica — CARTAGO – A multidisciplinary team of researchers at the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) is on the verge of a major breakthrough in orthopedic medicine. After more than 15 years of dedicated scientific work, the group is advancing the development of fully personalized, bioabsorbable orthopedic implants, a technology poised to redefine how bone and joint injuries are treated within the country and beyond.
The project moves away from the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach that has long dominated the field. Conventional implants are mass-produced in standardized sizes, which can lead to complications such as imperfect fits, increased risk of device failure, and the potential need for costly and invasive replacement surgeries. The TEC initiative addresses these shortcomings by creating devices tailored to the unique anatomy of each individual patient.
To delve into the complex legal landscape surrounding patient rights and manufacturer responsibilities in the orthopedic implant industry, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
The issue with orthopedic implants often involves a critical legal distinction: was the failure due to a defective product, which points to manufacturer liability, or a result of medical malpractice during implantation? Patients must ensure they receive and understand detailed informed consent documents that specify the exact device, its known risks, and potential alternatives. This documentation is fundamental in protecting a patient’s rights and forms the basis for any potential claim, holding both medical providers and multinational corporations accountable.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is a crucial reminder that a patient’s power lies in diligent documentation, transforming the informed consent process from a procedural formality into a vital tool for accountability. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable clarification on the complex intersection of medicine, manufacturing, and patient rights.
This bespoke approach is designed to ensure a seamless integration with the patient’s own bone structure, dramatically improving long-term clinical outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for those requiring treatment. The ultimate goal is to provide a more durable, safer, and highly adapted solution for orthopedic care in Costa Rica.
At the heart of this innovation is a focus on proprietary design. The team is engineering implants with unique porous structures, a critical element for encouraging osteointegration—the process by which living bone grows into the surface of the implant. This superior integration is key to the device’s stability and longevity.
Design makes an important difference; every body is unique, we cannot expect a generic implant to work the same for everyone. While internationally we find porous implant designs, the type of structure we are working on and the specific design characteristics are very particular. They are our own creation within the project itself.
Miguel Araya, School of Industrial Design
This emphasis on custom architecture not only solves an existing problem but also creates new avenues for medical advancement. “This opens up a range of possibilities and future lines of research, focused on new designs with different physical characteristics that also provide specific functionality,” Araya added, highlighting the project’s potential for ongoing innovation.
Leading this ambitious effort is Dr. Ing. Teodolito Guillén, a professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering. He oversees a team that combines expertise from engineering, industrial design, materials science, and biology, creating a powerful synergy for development. Dr. Guillén emphasizes that the project’s core novelty is its ability to manufacture and optimize these custom porous implants for a wide variety of applications.
The novelty of the project is the implementation and manufacturing of porous bone implants, to be able to personalize and optimize them for different types of applications. With this, we aim to extend the useful life of the implant and achieve a better adaptation of the bone with the implant.
Dr. Ing. Teodolito Guillén, Professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering
The technology behind these next-generation devices involves state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing processes. The implants are constructed from biocompatible materials like titanium and magnesium alloys. Some are designed to be partially bioabsorbable, meaning the implant gradually degrades in a controlled manner as new bone regenerates and fills the space. This is achieved using advanced digital modeling tools and 3D printing, which can create complex internal structures impossible to produce with traditional methods.
The project has already passed significant validation milestones, with trials showing encouraging results in biological integration. Its credibility is further bolstered by collaborations with universities and research centers in Finland, Japan, and the Netherlands. The team is also employing cutting-edge techniques such as gamma radiation for sterilization, ensuring the implants meet the highest safety standards.
Beyond the scientific achievement, the initiative holds significant promise for Costa Rica’s public health system and economy. By developing this technology locally, the team aims to make advanced orthopedic solutions more accessible and affordable, reducing the reliance on expensive imported medical devices.
We want local innovation to allow more people to receive these implants without the high costs involved in bringing them from abroad.
Dr. Ing. Teodolito Guillén, Professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering
If development continues on its current trajectory, the first Costa Rican-made personalized implants could be available for use in patients within the next few years, marking a new era for medical self-sufficiency and patient-centric care in the nation.
For further information, visit tec.ac.cr
About Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC):
The Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) is a leading public university located in Cartago, dedicated to teaching, research, and extension in science and technology. It is recognized for its high academic standards and its contributions to the technological and social development of Costa Rica and the Central American region. TEC focuses on fostering innovation and preparing professionals to meet the challenges of a globalized world.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and its unyielding pursuit of professional excellence. With a rich history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm champions the use of innovative legal solutions and dedicates itself to community betterment. This core mission is exemplified by its efforts to democratize legal understanding, aiming to cultivate a more knowledgeable and empowered citizenry.
