Descrizione del progetto
Sviluppare un chiodo di trasporto osseo semovente per la ricostruzione ossea
Il trasporto osseo è una procedura intesa a far crescere un nuovo osso all’interno di una zona in cui manca una sezione a causa di un’infezione, un trauma o una malattia. L’osso può essere trasportato mediante l’utilizzo di un dispositivo di estensione interno. Nel corso del processo di estensione interna dell’arto, il dispositivo, che contiene un piccolo motore magnetico, viene inserito nell’osso. La lenta estensione del dispositivo viene attivata da un controllore esterno, grazie al quale l’osso può essere allungato. Finanziato dal programma di azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie, il progetto SINTER si propone di sviluppare un chiodo di trasporto osseo semovente allo scopo di ricostruire difetti delle ossa di vasta entità provocati da un trauma o dalla rimozione di un tumore. L’automazione di questo processo consentirà di superare gli attuali limiti che ostacolano le tecniche di trasporto osseo, avendo il potenziale di promuovere in modo considerevole l’impiego dei chiodi intramidollari.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinatore
SW7 2AZ LONDON
Regno Unito