Project description
A polymer-based solution for repairing fractures in osteoporotic bones
Repair of bone fractures is conventionally carried out using screws and plates. However, the bones of patients with osteoporosis are very fragile, requiring alternative solutions. To improve bone implant stability, the EU-funded NAS project has developed a novel technology that assists the fixation of screws to osteoporotic bones. The technology includes an inert polymer sleeve that solidifies by ultrasound and serves as an anchorage of the screw to the native bone. Apart from offering enhanced bone stabilisation, the NAS solution is bioresorbable and does not require removal once the bone has healed. Besides orthopaedics, it can also find application in maxillofacial surgery and sports medicine.
Objective
Demographic changes in western countries are significantly increasing osteoporosis and therefore, the incidence of poor bone quality. Osteoporosis affects an estimated 75 million people in Europe, US and Japan and it has been estimated the number of osteoporotic fractures at 9 million per year whose treatment cost are currently reaching €31.7 billion (€76.7 billion in 2050) for Europe and €45.5 billion (€181.8 billion in 2050) for the US. Osteoporosis complicates the treatment of these fractures dramatically, because implants developed for good bone quality tend to fail in osteoporotic bone.
The patented NEXILIS augmentation system (NAS) overcomes these challenges by applying an implantable polymeric sleeve around the original implant. By using ultrasonic energy, the polymeric sleeve is molded into the pores of the host bone forming a strong and uniform bond with the adjacent bone. The original device will be implanted in the created denser bony environment leading to enhanced immediate stability. Therefore, NAS technology will significantly improve the treatment of osteoporotic bone fractures.
Initially, we aim to tackle pedicle screws in spinal surgery market due to its largely unmet medical needs and large market size (around 1 €billion) in Europe by 2020 and in the US by 2022. Nevertheless, our plan is to widespread the use of NAS technology in further market applications like maxillofacial surgery, sports medicine, trauma surgery, or orthopedic applications opening a wide range of business opportunities.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.2.1.2. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Nanotechnologies Main Programme
- H2020-EU.2.1.5. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced manufacturing and processing
- H2020-EU.2.1.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced materials
- H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
2540 GRENCHEN
Switzerland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.