SBIR Phase I: Mimicking Metatarsophalangeal Joints Using Tailored Ultra-Dissipative Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers to Treat Hallux Rigidus

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是治疗关节炎。该项目将推进关节修复特殊材料的使用，使设备能够模拟人体的自然软组织，并提供解剖学上正确的支持。这些材料还提供微创手术的优点，开发患者专用设备。它将提供治疗足部、手部、膝关节（如全膝关节置换）、脊柱（如全椎间盘置换）关节炎的能力，并修复任何承重骨科组织，如半月板。拟议项目的重点是推进液晶弹性体（LCE）作为跖趾关节（MTP）软骨置换器械的翻译，以治疗拇趾僵硬。拇趾僵硬是一种关节紊乱的基础上大脚趾。该项目将是第一个研究LCE用于骨科应用并使用LCE开发MTP关节修复的项目。LCE相对于传统的弹性体（例如硅酮或水凝胶）具有非常优越的上级能量耗散特性。本计画将利用液晶弹性体科学、黏弹性及生物工程等学科，示范LCE治疗退化关节。LCE以类似于生物组织的行为而闻名。本计画将完成：1）合成一种模拟自然关节力学特性的LCE，以降低模拟生理条件下的磨损率;和2）与实践状态相比，验证LCE的生物力学性能和生物相容性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查进行评估，被认为值得支持的搜索.

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to treat arthritis in joints. This project will advance the use of special materials for joint repair, which permit devices to mimic the naturally soft tissues of the body and provide anatomically correct support. These materials also offer the advantages of minimally invasive surgery, development of patient-specific devices. It will offer the ability to arthritis in joints in the foot, hand, knee (e.g. total knee replacement), spine (e.g. total disc replacement), and repair of any load-bearing orthopedic tissue, such as meniscus.The proposed project focuses on advancing the translation of Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers (LCE) as a cartilage replacement device for the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint to treat hallux rigidus. Hallux rigidus is a joint disorder at the base of the big toe. This project will be the first to investigate LCEs for orthopedic applications and develop an MTP joint repair using LCEs. LCEs have vastly superior energy dissipation properties relative to traditional elastomers, such as silicone or hydrogels. This project will demonstrate LCEs for treatment of degenerated joints by drawing from the disciplines of liquid-crystal elastomer science, viscoelasticity, and bioengineering. LCEs are known for behavior that is similar to biological tissues. This proposed project will accomplish: 1) synthesizing an LCE to mimic mechanical properties of natural joint to minimize wear rate under simulated physiological conditions; and 2) validation of biomechanical performance and biocompatibility of LCEs in comparison to the state of practice.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.