Enhanced Performance of Internal Limb Lenthening Prosthesis by Pasma Immersion Ion Implantation

这项为期1年的可行性研究旨在通过等离子体浸没离子植入（PIII）内部组件来改善肢体延长髓内假体（LLN）用于畸形矫正和获得性创伤的性能。据推测，PIII治疗将改善这些配合面之间的润滑性，减少延长髓内钉所需的扭矩&允许用于肢体直径较大的患者。PIII将需要在线控制关键工艺特性，例如注入电流、剂量、掺杂剂的选择和表面表征工具，以评估涂层成分和摩擦系数。一家全球医疗器械公司（S&N）、一家PIII治疗（IBS）专家和一家专门从事表面表征（NPL）的研究所之间的垂直整合合作，要求提供7.9万英镑的资金，以解决与表面表征、工艺设计和放大相关的加工挑战。鉴于其高水平的创新，该平台技术适用于其他医疗保健和工业领域，合作伙伴将通过该联盟将结果商业化。

The objective of this 1 year feasibility study is to improve the performance of limb lengthening intramedullary prosthesis (LLN) for deformity correction & acquired trauma through plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) of the internal components. It is hypothesized that PIII treatment will improve lubricity between these mating surfaces reducing the torque required to lengthen the nail & allowing for use in patients with larger limb diameter. PIII will require in-line control of critical process characteristics, e.g. implantation current, dose, choice of dopants, & surface characterisation tools to assess coating composition & coefficient of friction. The vertically integrated collaboration between a global medical device company (S&N), a specialist in PIII treatment (IBS), & an institute specializing in surface characterisation (NPL), are requesting £79k to address processing challenges relating to surface characterisation, process design & scale-up. The platform technology is applicable in other healthcare & industrial sectors given its high level of innovation, & the partners will commercialize the results through the consortium.