I-Corps: Natural Polymer Based Systems for Bone Repair and Regeneration

该项目将建立在先前的研究基础上，以改进用于植入应用的天然聚合物基支架技术。 研究人员已经开发出一种机械性能良好的生物活性可生物降解的固定装置，使用纤维素，这是一种天然来源的聚合物。该聚合物类作为透析膜、伤口护理系统和药用辅料具有悠久的医疗历史。该研究小组先前评估了用于骨再生应用的纤维素基支架系统，并确定了纤维素支架系统应用的生物相容性，机械能力和成骨特性。 传统的金属固定器械（如接骨板和螺钉）有几个局限性，最终可能需要额外的手术才能取出。通过该项目开发的可生物降解固定装置旨在完全降解，无需进行移除手术。这种材料平台可能更坚固，生物相容性更好，可以满足生物科学和生物医学工程的多方面需求。这些产品还可以应用于提供生物活性分子，抗生素和止痛药，以治疗肌肉骨骼系统内的各种营养。

This project will build upon prior research to improve upon a natural polymer-based scaffold technology for implant applications. Researchers have developed a mechanically competent bioactive biodegradable fixation device using cellulose, which is a polymer of natural origin. This polymer class has a long medical history as dialysis membrane, wound care system and pharmaceutical excipient. The research team previously evaluated cellulose-based scaffold systems for bone regeneration applications and has determined the biocompatibility, mechanical competence and osteoenic properties of cellulose scaffold system applications. Traditional metallic fixation devices such as plates and screws have several limitations and eventually may require additional surgery for removal. The biodegradable fixation devices developed through this project are designed to degrade completely, eliminating the need for a removal operation. This material platform is potentially stronger, more biocompatible and may meet the versatile needs in biological science and biomedical engineering. These products may also find applications to deliver bioactive molecules, antibiotics and pain medications to treat various aliments within the musculoskeletal system.