Implants for the future: hypoallergenic, antibacterial and non-wearing
Scientists worldwide are working on optimising implants so that they last longer and are improved further in terms of quality
The “H.A.V.-Implantat” network has now been launched with a kick-off event at the University Hospital of Magdeburg. The objective of the nationwide cooperation network with partners from research and business in Saxony-Anhalt is the development of hypoallergenic, antibacterial, non-wearing implants.
tti Technologietransfer und Innovationsförderung Magdeburg GmbH (tti) and the cluster for Medical and Healthcare Technology of the state of Saxony-Anhalt (Med-Tech) have been assigned to manage the project. The project is being funded as part of the “Central Innovation Programme for Medium Sized Companies” (ZIM) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs.
The network is a continuation of the “Expertise Centre for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery 4.0” that was successfully established with the support of the Med-Tech Cluster in January 2017. With this initiative, the scientific foundation was laid for improving orthopaedic implants. A proven profile of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences in the area of functional microstructured surfaces as well as short processing chains (Prof Harald Goldau) and of the Orthopaedic University Hospital Magdeburg in the design of antibacterial and hypoallergenic implants in endoprosthetics offers excellent conditions for this at the location of Magdeburg. The team of doctors led by hospital director Prof Christoph Lohmann has extensive experience in this area. More than 1,200 endoprostheses of all large and small joints are inserted or replaced each year at the hospital’s full-service endoprosthetics centre. The hospital was the first certified full-service endoprosthetics centre in Saxony-Anhalt.
Transaction from science to business
“Now, with the aid of financial support from the federal government, the collaboration is to lead to sustained economic effects for the companies from the fields of mechanical engineering, medical technology and healthcare, including beyond the state borders,” stressed the competent tti project manager, Dr Frank Fleischer. “This is the aim of the moderated networking of companies and scientists for the purpose of developing innovative products.”
Following the launch event on 25 January 2018 at the University Hospital Magdeburg, hospital director Prof Christoph Lohmann and laboratory manager Prof Jessica Bertrand invited the partners of the network to visit the research laboratory of the orthopaedic university hospital. The work performed here includes tissue analyses of patients with prosthetic failure as well as the biological testing of abrasion particles of endoprostheses in cell cultures. The tools available for this include a Mastersizer particle analyser, a hand spectrometer and a RAMAN spectroscope. To test new developments for endoprosthetics, a hip simulator is used, for example. This excellent equipment will be of great use to the cooperating companies in the upcoming development work.
Based on synergies of the problem-solving approaches of medical professionals and engineers, the companies and research institutes within the cooperation network want to establish an optimised implant. The new approach consists of contemplating especially the articulation as a functionalised surface on which very specific properties are to be stamped. This results in a unique selling point that will be down to the participating companies in particular to use.
The network management commenced its work at the beginning of 2018 and in the first phase (duration 1 year) it will perform conceptual development work in particular, draw up the corresponding technological roadmap (measure-time planning) and support the partners in preparing funding applications.
A key industrial partner in this network is OHST Medizintechnik AG, a family-run SME with a history stretching back over 75 years that has established itself across Europe as a competent complete supplier and full-service provider for the development, approval and production of implant systems and instruments. Other companies in the network include HAAS Schleifmaschinen GmbH with its specific grinding solution for complete processing, Atherma GmbH with its expertise in the field of athermal laser technology for material structuring and coating, Edelstahl Service Center Burg GmbH with its extensive expertise in the field of metallic materials, AMETEK GmbH with its ZYGO business unit as a leading company for precision measurement, Vorrichtungsbau Giggel GmbH as a specialist in fixture and prototype construction as well as small-series production, Sondermaschinen Oschersleben GmbH as a machine developer and constructor and KE-Steuerungstechnik with its expertise in the design and implementation of automation concepts.
Source: www.med.uni-magdeburg.de