Descripción del proyecto
Desarrollo de un clavo de transporte óseo autónomo para la reconstrucción ósea
El transporte óseo es un procedimiento para el desarrollo de hueso nuevo en una región en la que falta una sección debido a una infección, un traumatismo o una enfermedad. El hueso puede ser transportado mediante un dispositivo de alargamiento externo o interno. Durante el proceso de alargamiento interno del miembro, el dispositivo, que contiene un pequeño motor magnético, se introduce en el hueso. Después, mediante un controlador externo, se activa el alargamiento lento y, como consecuencia, el hueso se alarga. El objetivo del proyecto SINTER, financiado por las Acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, es desarrollar un clavo de transporte óseo autónomo para reconstruir grandes anomalías óseas causadas por un traumatismo o la extirpación de un tumor. La automatización del proceso superará las limitaciones actuales de las técnicas de transporte óseo y puede fomentar considerablemente el uso de clavos intramedulares.
Objetivo
As a Maria Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, I aim to develop a self-driven bone transport nail to reconstruct large bone defects caused after trauma or tumour removal. This is to overcome the current limitations of bone transport techniques that use intramedullary nails. These are: daily involvement of patients during the distraction process, regular interventions by surgeons and the significant cost of the procedure. These limitations have led to limited use of this method regardless of its superior outcomes compared to other commonly used techniques. It is becoming more popular now as it overcomes limitations of external fixators: a prolonged treatment time, diligent care, as well as psychological, hygiene, and daily activity burden for patients and caregivers. Automating the process and reducing its cost, can considerably promote the use of the nails. Under the supervision of Prof. Anthony Bull, a world leader in translational low-cost medical devices and musculoskeletal biomechanics at Imperial College London, I aim to overcome this translational barrier by developing a novel distraction mechanism. I will optimise the nail using a spring-piston system to achieve the optimised distraction rate for bone reconstruction. The unique design of the nails allows manufacturing by traditional processes as well as additive manufacturing. Given the type of trauma and tumour, the defect could be developed at different places in the bone. Therefore, surgical and technical considerations will be taken into account in collaboration with Mr Craig Gerrand and Mr Pierluigi Cuomo, world leaders in bone cancer/transport surgery, during a secondment at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. This project will develop the first self-driven intramedullary nail for bone transport. This nail is not only advantageous compared to the available ones but also a low-cost option that can make this technique more affordable and available worldwide, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinador
SW7 2AZ LONDON
Reino Unido