Drs. Siegler (MEM, Drexel University), Palmese (CBE, Drexel University), Schaer (University of Pennsylvania), and Najafi received a grant from the Coulter program, entitled “Orthopedic Surgical Devices with controlled fluid-induced expansion properties for Improved Bone Fixation and Bone Integration”. Fixation to bone is fundamental in many orthopedic applications such as re-attachment of torn tendons and ligaments and repair of osteochondral defects. Currently, bone fixation is achieved using screws, anchors, pegs and interfrence-fit grafts. Conventional bone fixation systems use artificial material including titanium, stainless steel, and PEEK. These have inherent deficiencies including: poor fixation strength in low-density bone, stress shielding inducing bone resorption, and lack of osteointegration. These inherent deficiences give rise to surgery-related failures produced by anchor pullout, graft subsidence, and implant loosening. We propose to develop a family of bone fixation products that will improve outcome of orthopedic surgery by using a porous co-polymer with controlled fluid-induced expansion properties as part of the bone-fixation mechanism. Such products are expected to improve surgical outcome by increasing fixation strength to bone, preventing bone resorption, and promoting osteointegration. This will impact thousands of patients undergoing orthopedic procedures that require bone fixation such as rotator cuff repairs, ligament repairs, tendon transfers, and repair of osteochondral defects. We propose to focus on two such systems, i.e. suture anchors and repair of osteochondral defects. Utilizing surgical-expert evaluation, biomechanical testing on artificial and natural bone, and in-vivo animal implantation studies, we will demonstrate our products’ viability and improved performance compared to conventional methods.
Multiscale Computational Mechanics and Biomechanics LAB @ Drexel University
Innovative Optimization in Materials Design