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protection of individuals correcting the misalignment
of their brains and their anatomical sex, while supporting their transition
into society as hormonally reconstituted and surgically corrected citizens.
| Using Intelligent Materials For Surgical Implants |
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| SciMed - Healthcare | |||
| TS-Si News Service | |||
| Thursday, 11 December 2008 16:00 | |||
 London, UK. Scientists have long suspected that nanotechnology could provide superior surgical implants. Now a team of researchers led by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has received a Medical Futures Innovation Award for a process designed to coat surgical implants with fibres that, for the first time, will encourage the implant to "bond" with living bone and to last the lifetime of the patient. This approach shows promise for the replacement of suturing and other techniques used for vaginal (re)construction, as well as now-common orthopedic operations (e.g., knee and hip replacement).
The process uses a nanotechnology technique that builds on an existing technology known as electrospinning to build fibrous materials. An electrical charge turns polymers into extremely thin fibres that are "spun" to form a mat of fine fibres. In this case, nanosized hair-like structures, a thousand times thinner than the width of a human hair, are electrospun and added to the surface of an orthopaedic implant to create a 'living interface' between the artificial implants and living bone.
This approach shows promise for the replacement of suturing and other techniques used for vaginal (re)construction, as well as now-common orthopedic operations (e.g., knee and hip replacement).Not only does this improve the performance of the implants it also significantly increases their durability to last the lifetime of the patient. Any stress on the implant is relieved, making it more reliable and durable.
Additionally, it is also possible to add a unique biological coating that can facilitate growth and improve the bonding of healthy tissue to the implant.
The surface engineering process, under development at the STFC Micro-Nano Technology Centre (MNTC), in collaboration with the Electrospinning Company Ltd (TECL) and Anglia Ruskin University. It is seen as a platform technology for the medical sector with a wide range of applications including tissue regeneration and drug delivery.
MNTC has developed systems to increase the production rate of nanofibres and remove obstacles to their adoption by industry. The electrospinning concept is under the guidance of a Medical Futures teamIt will eventually licensed to TECL, a spin out STFC company.
Mansel Williams … said: "Ten percent of patients receiving surgical implants go on to develop infection and loosening of their implants, costing the UK at least £14 million every year, £224 million globally."Dr. Robert Stevens, Group Leader of the MNTC at STFC said: "This award provides a major step forward for the future of patients requiring surgical implants and I am thrilled that this concept was selected as an award winner over several hundred entries. Our award is given for translational research innovation to meet the current and future orthopaedic needs of patients."
Mansel Williams, Chief Executive of The Electrospinning Company said: "Ten percent of patients receiving surgical implants go on to develop infection and loosening of their implants, costing the UK at least £14 million every year, £224 million globally."
"We want to eliminate this by creating the ideal implant surface matched to the individual patient, benefitting both the patient and the economy. This award will now allow us to scale up the testing and commercialisation of these implants"
 The TS-Si News Service is a collaborative effort by TS-Si.org editors, contributors, and corresponding institutions. Sources can include the cited individuals and organizations, as well as TS-Si.org staff contributions. Articles and news reports do not necessarily convey official positions of TS-Si, its partners, or affiliates. We welcome your comments. Use the form below to leave a public comment or send private correspondence via the TS-Si Contact Page. We will not divulge any personal details or place you on a mailing list without your permission.TS-Si is dedicated to the acceptance, medical treatment, and legal protection of individuals correcting the misalignment of their brains and their anatomical sex, while supporting their transition into society as hormonally reconstituted and surgically corrected citizens.
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 January 2009 08:00 |
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