Aims: A serious problem in orthopedic surgery is the development of infections. The realization of antibacterial and
Invasive intraneural electrodes implanted in peripheral nerves are neural prosthetic devices that are exploied to control advanced neural-interfaced prostheses in human amputees. One of the main issues to be faced in chronic implants is represented by the gradual loss of functionality of such intraneural interfaces due to an electrical impedance increase caused by the progressive formation of a fibrotic capsule around the electrodes, which is originally due to a nonspecific inflammatory response called foreign body reaction (FBR). In this in vitro work, we tested the
Aims: To assess prospectively the effectiveness and safety of Cortossª, a new synthetic,
Introduction. Acetabular component loosening has been one of the factors of revision of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Inadequate mechanical fixation or load transfer may contribute to this loosening process. Several reports showed the load transfer in the acetabulum by metal components. However, there is no report about the influence of the joint surface on the load transfer. We developed a novel acetabular cross-linked polyethylene (CLPE) liner with graft
The surface of any implant device plays an important role in their
The purpose of this study is to enhance massive bone allografts osseointegration used to reconstruct large bone defects. These allografts show >50% complication rate requiring surgical revision in 20% cases. A new protocol for total bone decellularisation exploiting the vasculature can offer a reduction of postoperative complication by annihilating immune response and improving cellular colonization/ osseointegration. The nutrient artery of 18 porcine bones - humerus/femur/radius/ulna - was cannulated. The decellularization process involved immersion and sequential perfusion with specific solvents over a course of one week. Perfusion was realized by a peristaltic pump (mean flow rate: 6ml/min). The benefit of arterial perfusion was compared to a control group kept in immersion baths without perfusion. Bone samples were processed for histology (HE, Masson's trichrome and DAPI for cell detection), immunohistochemistry (IHC : Collagen IV/elastin for intraosseous vascular system evaluation, Swine Leukocyte Antigen – SLA for immunogenicity in addition to cellular clearance) and DNA quantification. Sterility and solvent residues in the graft were also evaluated with thioglycolate test and pH test respectively. Compared to native bones, no cells could be detected and residual DNA was <50ng/mg dry weight. Intramedullary spaces were completely cleaned. IHC showed the preservation of intracortical vasculature with channels bounded by Collagen IV and elastin within Haversian systems. IHC also showed a significant decrease in SLA signaling. All grafts were sterile at the last decellularization step and showed no solvent residue. The control group kept in immersion baths, paired with 6 perfused radii/ulnae, showed that the perfusion is mandatory to ensure complete decellularisation. Our results prove the effectiveness of a new concept of total bone decellularisation by perfusion. These promising results could lead to a new technique of Vascularized Composite Allograft transposable to pre-clinical and clinical models.
Despite improvements in techniques and materials, aseptic loosening of artificial hip joints remains as the most serious problem. This study investigated mechanical and biological effects of
Bioresorbable materials offer the potential of developing fracture fixation plates with similar mechanical properties to bone thereby minimizing stress shielding and obviating the need for implant removal. To determine the in vivo degradation profile of a novel phosphate glass fibre composite bioresorbable plate and effects on the underlying bone.Background
Aim
The menisci play a fundamental biomechanical role in the knee and also help in the maintaining of the articular homeostasis; thus, either a lesion or the complete absence of the menisci can invalidate the physiological function of the knee causing important damages, even at long term. Unfortunately, meniscal tears are often found during the ordinary orthopaedic practice while the regenerative potential of this kind of tissue is very low and limited to its peripheral-vascularized part; this is why the majority of these common arthroscopic findings are not reparable and often the surgeon is almost forced to perform a partial, subtotal or even total meniscectomy, regardless of the well-known consequences of this kind of surgery. Recently a porous, biodegradable scaffold made of an aliphatic polyurethane (Actifit(tm),Orteq Ltd) has been developed for the arthroscopic treatment of partial and irreparable meniscal tears; thanks to its particular structure, this scaffold facilitates the regeneration of the removed meniscal part, preventing the potential cartilage damage due to its complete or partial lack. We performed a prospective clinical study on 17 patients affected by a massive loss of meniscal substance either medial or lateral associated with intraarticular or global knee pain and/or swelling. We analyzed the patient both clinically and by using the International Knee Document Committee's (IKDC) Subjective and Objective Knee Evaluation Form. We also assessed the sport activity resumption by comparing the Tegner score at the time of the very first visit with the presurgery and prelesional ones. Finally, we also organized a control MRI at 6 and 12 months after surgery.INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Menisci are crucial structures for knee homeostasis: they provide increase of congruence between the articular surfaces of the distal femur and tibial plateau, bear loading, shock absorption, lubrication, and proprioception. After a meniscal lesion, the golden rule, now, is to save as much meniscus as possible: only the meniscus tissue which is identified as unrepairable should be excised and meniscal sutures find more and more indications. Several different methods have been proposed to improve meniscal healing. They include very basic techniques, such as needling, abrasion, trephination and gluing, or more complex methods, such as synovial flaps, meniscal wrapping, or the application of fibrin clots. Basic research of meniscal substitutes has also become very active in the last decades. The features needed for a meniscal scaffold are: promotion of cell migration, it should be biomimetic and
Majority of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) medical devices used in total joint arthroplasty are crosslinked using gamma radiation to improve wear resistance. Alternative methods of crosslinking are urgently needed to replace gamma radiation due to rapid decline in its supply. Peroxide crosslinking is a candidate method with widespread industrial applications. Oxidative stability and
Intraneural electrodes can be harnessed to control neural prosthetic devices in human amputees. However, in chronic implants we witness a gradual loss of device functionality and electrode isolation due to a nonspecific inflammatory response to the implanted material, called foreign body reaction (FBR). FBR may eventually lead to a fibrous encapsulation of the electrode surface. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is one of the most common low-fouling materials used to coat and protect electrode surfaces. Yet, PEG can easily undergo encapsulation and oxidative damage in long-term in vivo applications. Poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) - poly(SBMA) - zwitterionic hydrogels may represent more promising alternatives to minimize the FBR due to their ultra-low fouling features. Here, we tested and compared the poly(SBMA) zwitterionic hydrogel coating with the PEG coating in reducing adhesion and activation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cells to polyimide surfaces, which are early hallmarks of FBR. We aimed to coat polyimide surfaces with a hydrogel thin film and analysed the release of a model drug from the hydrogel. We performed hydrogel synthesis, mechanical characterization and
The implantation of endoprosthesis is a routine procedure in orthopaedics. Endoprosthesis are mainly manufactured from ceramics, polymers, metals or metal alloys. To ensure longevity of the implants they should be as
Decreasing the chance of local relapse or infection after surgical excision of bone metastases is a main goals in orthopedic oncology. Indeed, bone metastases have high incidence rate (up to 75%) and important cross-relations with infection and bone regeneration. Even in patients with advanced cancer, bone gaps resulting from tumor excision must be filled with bone substitutes. Functionalization of these substitutes with antitumor and antibacterial compounds could constitute a promising approach to overcome infection and tumor at one same time.
Here, for the first time, we propose the use of nanostructured zinc-bone apatite coatings having antitumor and antimicrobial efficacy. The coatings are obtained by Ionized Jet Deposition from composite targets of zinc and bovine-derived bone apatite.
Antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of the coatings is demonstrated in vitro against S. Aureus and E. Coli. Anti-tumor efficacy is investigated against MDA- MB-231 cells and
Biodegradable metals as orthopaedic implant materials receive substantial scientific and clinical interest. Marketed cardiovascular products confirm good
Production of porous titanium bone implants is a highly promising research and application area due to providing high osseointegration and achieving the desired mechanical properties. Production of controlled porosity in titanium implants is possible with laser powder bed fusion (L- PBF) technology. The main topics of this presentation includes the L-PBF process parameter optimization to manufacture thin walls of porous titanium structures with almost full density and good mechanical properties as well as good dimensional accuracy. Moreover, the cleaning and coating process of these structures to further increase osseointegration and then in-vitro
AM specifically allows for cost-efficient production of patient-specific Orthopaedic medical devices with unusual designs and properties. A porous design allows to adjust the stiffness of metallic implants to that of the host bone. Beyond traditional metals, like titanium alloys, this talk will review the present state-of-the-art of directly printed absorbable metal families. Physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties of standardized design prototypes from all currently available metal families will be compared and their clinical application potential discussed. The impact of in vitro test environments on comparative corrosion behavior, post manufacturing aspects, and the recent status quo in
Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) is the workhorse procedure for correcting varus malalignment of the knee. There have been recent developments in the synthetic options to fill the osteotomy gap. The current gold standard for filling this osteotomy gap is autologous bone graft which is associated with donor site morbidity. We would like to introduce and describe the process of utilizing the novel Osteopore® 3D printed, honeycomb structured, Polycaprolactone and β-Tricalcium Phosphate wedge for filling the gap in MOWHTO. In the advent of additive manufacturing and the quest for more
Several synthetic polymers have been widely investigated for their use in bone tissue engineering applications, but the ideal material is yet to be engineered. Triazine-trione (TATO) based materials and their derivatives are novel in the field of biomedical engineering but have started to draw interest. Different designs of the TATO monomers and introduction of different chemical linkages and end-groups widens the scope of the materials due to a range of mechanical properties. The aim of our work is to investigate novel TATO based materials, with or without hydroxyapatite filler, for their potential in bone tissue engineering constructs. Initially the
In-vitro models of disease are valuable tools for studying disease and analysing response to therapeutics. Recently, advances in patient-derived organoid (PDO) models have been shown to faithfully recapitulate structure, function, and therapeutic response for a wide range of tissues. Frozen shoulder is a rare example of a chronic inflammatory fibrotic disease which is self-limiting, unlike many other soft tissue fibrotic disorders. As no in-vitro 3D models or in-vivo animal models exist for frozen shoulder, establishing an organoid model which recapitulates core diseases features may give insight into fibrosis resolution. Consequently, using