Project description
Development of a self-driven bone transport nail for bone reconstruction
Bone transport is a procedure for the growth of new bone in a region with a missing section due to infection, trauma or disease. Bone can be transported using an external or internal lengthening device. During the internal limb lengthening process, the device, containing a small magnetic motor, is inserted into the bone. Slow device lengthening is activated by an external controller, and this causes the bone to lengthen. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SINTER project aims to develop a self-driven bone transport nail to reconstruct large bone defects caused by trauma or tumour removal. Automation of the process will overcome the current limitations of bone transport techniques and can considerably promote the use of intramedullary nails.
Objective
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.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
SW7 2AZ LONDON
United Kingdom