Smart Orthopedic Implants and Self-Fitting Tissue Scaffolding
The synthetic grafts used by orthopedic surgeons in surgery today have many issues. The grafts are made of materials that are not conducive to forming the irregular shapes needed to be implanted in the body. Therefore the synthetic grafts don’t always conform correctly to the shape they need to be. Also, two surgeries are required: one for the implanting of the tissue scaffold and another for the removal of the implant.
Fortunately, research is being done to improve upon the grafts used in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Jie Song and Jianwen Xu are two of many people who have been doing research on these tissue scaffolds. They have come up with a bone scaffolding polymer that addresses many of the current problems associated with the grafts used today. The main obstacle this new polymer overcomes is that it uses “heat activated smart materials” in order to incorporate itself with surrounding tissue.
Dr. Song's long term goal for this involves “physicians using CT scans and MRI imaging,” so that the polymer can be shaped into the desired form/mold needed while in the lab before surgery. It will be formed into the irregular shape needed at the site of the injury. Then using heat activation the polymer will be deformed and compressed into a shape more conducive to entering the human body for surgery (this part is also done pre-surgery when the polymer is outside the body). Then, upon arrival at the injury site inside the body, the polymer will be “thermally re-activate[d]” to its “original, pre-molded shape.”
I thought this article was interesting because I have been fascinated with orthopedic surgery, ever since I tore my ACL and had to have it repaired. Even though the graft used in my surgery was from my hamstring, I find it interesting to learn about other grafting materials/technology. This new polymer and heat activation technique would be a huge improvement for orthopedic surgeons and patients. It is made of biodegradable material that can dissolve in the body once it has fulfilled its purpose. This is advantageous in that there does not need to be an additional surgery for the patient in order for the implant to be removed. Also this bone scaffolding polymer is said to “promote tissue growth and integration.” A problem with some of the implants used today is that they are made of materials not conducive to integrating with the surrounding tissue. The capability of the implant being able to reshape itself due to heat activation and smart memory is a great advantage.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100405152553.htm
Fortunately, research is being done to improve upon the grafts used in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Jie Song and Jianwen Xu are two of many people who have been doing research on these tissue scaffolds. They have come up with a bone scaffolding polymer that addresses many of the current problems associated with the grafts used today. The main obstacle this new polymer overcomes is that it uses “heat activated smart materials” in order to incorporate itself with surrounding tissue.
Dr. Song's long term goal for this involves “physicians using CT scans and MRI imaging,” so that the polymer can be shaped into the desired form/mold needed while in the lab before surgery. It will be formed into the irregular shape needed at the site of the injury. Then using heat activation the polymer will be deformed and compressed into a shape more conducive to entering the human body for surgery (this part is also done pre-surgery when the polymer is outside the body). Then, upon arrival at the injury site inside the body, the polymer will be “thermally re-activate[d]” to its “original, pre-molded shape.”
I thought this article was interesting because I have been fascinated with orthopedic surgery, ever since I tore my ACL and had to have it repaired. Even though the graft used in my surgery was from my hamstring, I find it interesting to learn about other grafting materials/technology. This new polymer and heat activation technique would be a huge improvement for orthopedic surgeons and patients. It is made of biodegradable material that can dissolve in the body once it has fulfilled its purpose. This is advantageous in that there does not need to be an additional surgery for the patient in order for the implant to be removed. Also this bone scaffolding polymer is said to “promote tissue growth and integration.” A problem with some of the implants used today is that they are made of materials not conducive to integrating with the surrounding tissue. The capability of the implant being able to reshape itself due to heat activation and smart memory is a great advantage.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100405152553.htm
posted by Natasha Inamdar at 8:30 AM
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