We aim to engineer and characterise novel resorbable mineral or polymer nano-fibre reinforced bone substitute composite materials that mimic the bone‘s mechanical properties. Furthermore, the biological effects of the nanofibres on cells and organs are investigated.
Background
Reinforcement of bone substitute materials with micro- and nanofibres is a most promising approach to engineer materials that mimic the bone‘s mechanical properties. Such materials represent a chance to engineer improved synthetic bone substitutes that will eventually withstand the loads experienced in the human body, allowing omission of additional fixation with plates and screws. The influence of the nanofibres on cells, tissues and organs, however, is not fully understood.
Aim
The project aims to (a) synthesise novel nanofibre reinforced mineral and ceramic bone substitute composites and (b) to assess the biological risks that may evolve from the nanofibres that will gradually be exposed during degradation of the calcium phosphate matrix.
Part (a) of the project entails synthesis, engineering and characterisation of calcium phosphate based nanofibre reinforced composites (FRC). Two fundamentally different engineering approaches will be investigated: i) a sintered high temperature ceramic FRC containing inorganic ceramic or glass nanofibres, and ii) a self-set low temperature mineral cement FRC reinforced with polymeric or glass nanofibres. Characterisation will include a variety of chemical, physical and mechanical methods that comply with ISO or ASTM standards.
In part (b), the biological response triggered by the nanofibres will be investigated by in vitro and in vivo tests. The most promising nanofibre candidates will be used to engineer FRC materials and subsequently will be subjected to more extensive in vitro and in vivo investigations regarding inflammation, healing and tissue integration. Secondary effects on tissues and organs will be assessed as well as cellular uptake and migration of nano-fibres.
Significance
Successful engineering of nano-FRC materials will lead to a next generation of bone substitutes relevant to biomedical device industries and allow for improved treatment of patients. Load bearing FRC ceramics may, for example, be applied in cranio-maxillofacial surgery replacing metal plates, meshes and screws, or in spinal augmentation, where resorbable FRC cements may replace the stiff non-resorbable PMMA cements that often cause secondary effects and interventions.
Original title: Nanofibres Reinforced Bone Substitute Materials: Effect of Delayed Fibre Degradation on Cells and Tissues
Grant: CHF 299'992.-
Duration: 36 months
Project leader
- Dr. Reto Luginbühl