Scientists have successfully developed a groundbreaking implantable composite material that has the potential to significantly improve the healing process for severely broken bones. The material, which is a result of the SCABAEGO Scaffold Bioactive Glass-Enhanced Osteogenesis collaborative research project, has shown promising results in terms of accelerating bone tissue regeneration and preventing infections. The project received funding from the German government and involved partnerships with the Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery at the Heidelberg University Hospital, medical engineering company Bella Seno, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials.
The process begins with a CT scan of the injured bone to assess the severity of the break. Using the scan data, a custom-made three-dimensional scaffold is printed using the new composite material. The scaffold is then surgically implanted at the site of the fracture to fill the void left by the missing bone tissue. Finally, the scaffold is filled with the patient’s own bone marrow, which is typically harvested from the hip or another large bone. The composite material is composed of a combination of bioactive glass and a biodegradable polymer known as polycaprolactone, which adds structural strength to the scaffold. The bioactive glass, according to Fraunhofer, raises the pH level at the fracture site to an alkaline level, which can inhibit the growth of bacteria. Additionally, the glass transforms into a compound called hydroxylapatite when it comes into contact with bodily fluids, resembling the composition of bone. Dr. Tobias Großner, a trauma surgeon and head of experimental trauma surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital, explains that the scaffold fully biodegrades in six to seven years and is replaced by new bone tissue.
The researchers have already begun conducting preclinical trials to assess the efficacy and safety of the implantable composite. They are also working on further optimizing the formulation of the material to maximize the content of bioactive glass while maintaining sufficient structural integrity.
This groundbreaking technology holds great potential in revolutionizing the treatment of severely broken bones. By providing a custom-fit scaffold that promotes accelerated bone tissue regeneration and helps prevent infections, this implantable composite has the potential to significantly improve the outcomes for patients with severe fractures. The ongoing research and development efforts aim to further refine the material and bring it closer to widespread clinical use, offering hope to patients and doctors alike in the field of bone healing.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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