Periodic Reporting for period 1 - I-SMarD (Smart, Multifunctional Dental Implants: A Solution for Peri-Implantitis and Bone Loss)
Reporting period: 2021-04-01 to 2022-09-30
I-SMarD adopts a holistic approach for the development and delivery of a multifunctional dental implant that will provide a solution for a significant clinical condition in dentistry i.e. peri-implantitis.
Obj1: To deliver “smart” multifunctional titanium implants.
Obj2: To implement and establish 3D printing techniques (e.g. Selective Laser Sintering) for the manufacturing of functional dental implants.
Obj3: To deliver a promising product with the potential to generate revenue in the long term.
Obj4: To develop and use appropriate tools that will improve and simplify the optimisation and evaluation of our medical devices.
Research challenges (secondary objectives):
C1) Design and fabricate porous Ti implants with appropriate biomechanical properties.
C2) Development of appropriate pH sensitive polymers for “smart” delivery of antibacterial agents.
C3) Fabrication of photoactive layers for monitoring soft tissue health via blood oximetry and development of a diagnostic tool.
C4) To identify an ideal combination of nanomaterials that can be loaded to our implant to promote i) new bone formation (e.g. calcium phosphates), ii) the attachment of soft tissue to the implant iii) antibacterial potential (Ce oxide NPs).
C5) Design and fabrication of optofluidic based bioreactors in which we can mimic the dynamic microenvironment around the implan
C6) Develop models for the scale up and mass production of our nanomaterials and medical devices.
C7) Demonstrate the efficacy of the developed implants in animal models.
Obj1: To deliver “smart” multifunctional titanium implants.
Obj2: To implement and establish 3D printing techniques (e.g. Selective Laser Sintering) for the manufacturing of functional dental implants.
Obj3: To deliver a promising product with the potential to generate revenue in the long term.
Obj4: To develop and use appropriate tools that will improve and simplify the optimisation and evaluation of our medical devices.
Research challenges (secondary objectives):
C1) Design and fabricate porous Ti implants with appropriate biomechanical properties.
C2) Development of appropriate pH sensitive polymers for “smart” delivery of antibacterial agents.
C3) Fabrication of photoactive layers for monitoring soft tissue health via blood oximetry and development of a diagnostic tool.
C4) To identify an ideal combination of nanomaterials that can be loaded to our implant to promote i) new bone formation (e.g. calcium phosphates), ii) the attachment of soft tissue to the implant iii) antibacterial potential (Ce oxide NPs).
C5) Design and fabrication of optofluidic based bioreactors in which we can mimic the dynamic microenvironment around the implan
C6) Develop models for the scale up and mass production of our nanomaterials and medical devices.
C7) Demonstrate the efficacy of the developed implants in animal models.
WP1 - 3D printed porous titanium specimens were printed at ATB using the newly installed equipment. A systematic investigation was carried out for optimizing printing parameters. Specimens were characterized using microCT analysis for geometry and via monotonic and cyclic loading experiments to quantify mechanical properties, in accordance with the ISO standard. A finite element (FE) simulation approach has been developed to predict mechanical performance of additively manufactured porous structures and validated with the experimental results.
WP2 - work has been conducted towards the development of photoactive coating for post implantation monitoring. Results demonstrate the potential for developing photoactive layer coating as a diagnostic tool for monitoring the healing process of the peri-implantitis
WP3 - focused on Polymers for “smart” drug delivery and nanomaterials, which we aim to incorporate during manufacturing of Ti-implants.
WP4 - Diffusive transport of drugs was found to be Fickian in the dilute Chitosan solutions, both theoretically and experimentally. A CFD study was conducted to investigate the optofluidic bioreactor design, providing the first prototype of the optofluidic bioreactor, demonstrating the feasibility of sensing capabilities and appropriateness of the optofluidic bioreactor.
WP5 - human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) and human gingival fibroblasts were successfully established and fully characterized. These cells were used for the biological evaluation of the synthesized materials.
WP6 - A detailed cost analysis has been achieved for design and fabrication processes of the implant and nanomaterials. A detailed techno-economic analysis has been done for determination of the economic feasibility of the adopted manufacturing processes.
WP7 - re stake holder engagement, a stratified, gender balanced patient groups which the AUTH has initiated. An independent Clinicians’ Key Opinion Group (KOG) has also been identified. 2 consortium wide workshops on Experimental Design and Ethics and Regulations were held apart from several conference presentations and publications by different partners.
WP2 - work has been conducted towards the development of photoactive coating for post implantation monitoring. Results demonstrate the potential for developing photoactive layer coating as a diagnostic tool for monitoring the healing process of the peri-implantitis
WP3 - focused on Polymers for “smart” drug delivery and nanomaterials, which we aim to incorporate during manufacturing of Ti-implants.
WP4 - Diffusive transport of drugs was found to be Fickian in the dilute Chitosan solutions, both theoretically and experimentally. A CFD study was conducted to investigate the optofluidic bioreactor design, providing the first prototype of the optofluidic bioreactor, demonstrating the feasibility of sensing capabilities and appropriateness of the optofluidic bioreactor.
WP5 - human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) and human gingival fibroblasts were successfully established and fully characterized. These cells were used for the biological evaluation of the synthesized materials.
WP6 - A detailed cost analysis has been achieved for design and fabrication processes of the implant and nanomaterials. A detailed techno-economic analysis has been done for determination of the economic feasibility of the adopted manufacturing processes.
WP7 - re stake holder engagement, a stratified, gender balanced patient groups which the AUTH has initiated. An independent Clinicians’ Key Opinion Group (KOG) has also been identified. 2 consortium wide workshops on Experimental Design and Ethics and Regulations were held apart from several conference presentations and publications by different partners.
This project will deliver a novel implant that will prevent the formation of bacterial biofilm (cause of peri-implantitis) and will have increased regenerative potential for the healing of the surrounding dental tissues.
3D printing techniques (i.e. selective laser sintering) will be used for the manufacturing of our medical devices. The capability to fabricate complex geometries is critical in order to achieve the increased functionality and personalisation of our dental implants.
Cost optimisation of the 3D printing procedure will also be conducted.
WP7 is dedicated to end users’ engagement. We will have an end user committee (manufacturers, clinicians, patients) who will give valuable input both for the design and manufacturing of our implants but also the overall translation strategy.
Various technologies and tools will be developed in I-SMarD that can benefit the development, design and evaluation of medical devices. The most characteristic examples are a) Finite Element models for biomechanical analysis of the dental implants; b) optofluidic bioreactors that will be an intermediate evaluation step between in vitro testing and animal trials.
The developed concept involves the synergy between manufacturers, clinicians, engineers, biologists and materials scientists. New methodologies for the design, manufacturing and evaluation of dental implants will be adopted.
The success of our concept will eliminate the complications arising from bacterial infections and will reduce the time needed for the healing and regeneration of the surrounding dental tissues. The time and the cost of rehabilitation is expected to be reduced to the benefit of the patients and the national healthcare systems.
WP6 is dedicated to the cost analysis and cost optimisation of the materials and the utilised procedures for the development and fabrication of our implants. At the end of I-SMarD we will have a realistic business plan that will identify the appropriate route for commercialisation.
The implants proposed in I-SMarD is an excellent example how advanced manufacturing technologies and nanomaterials can be combined for the development of a functional medical device. The optimisation of manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and PLD, the development of models for mass production of materials and the delivery of new tools for the design and testing of medical devices will benefit the overall nano- and biotechnology industry in Europe.
3D printing techniques (i.e. selective laser sintering) will be used for the manufacturing of our medical devices. The capability to fabricate complex geometries is critical in order to achieve the increased functionality and personalisation of our dental implants.
Cost optimisation of the 3D printing procedure will also be conducted.
WP7 is dedicated to end users’ engagement. We will have an end user committee (manufacturers, clinicians, patients) who will give valuable input both for the design and manufacturing of our implants but also the overall translation strategy.
Various technologies and tools will be developed in I-SMarD that can benefit the development, design and evaluation of medical devices. The most characteristic examples are a) Finite Element models for biomechanical analysis of the dental implants; b) optofluidic bioreactors that will be an intermediate evaluation step between in vitro testing and animal trials.
The developed concept involves the synergy between manufacturers, clinicians, engineers, biologists and materials scientists. New methodologies for the design, manufacturing and evaluation of dental implants will be adopted.
The success of our concept will eliminate the complications arising from bacterial infections and will reduce the time needed for the healing and regeneration of the surrounding dental tissues. The time and the cost of rehabilitation is expected to be reduced to the benefit of the patients and the national healthcare systems.
WP6 is dedicated to the cost analysis and cost optimisation of the materials and the utilised procedures for the development and fabrication of our implants. At the end of I-SMarD we will have a realistic business plan that will identify the appropriate route for commercialisation.
The implants proposed in I-SMarD is an excellent example how advanced manufacturing technologies and nanomaterials can be combined for the development of a functional medical device. The optimisation of manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and PLD, the development of models for mass production of materials and the delivery of new tools for the design and testing of medical devices will benefit the overall nano- and biotechnology industry in Europe.