PFI:AIR-TT: Prototyping bioabsorbable composites for bone-fixation applications involving low to medium loads

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译用于骨固定应用的聚合物基复合材料的新设计和制造。该项目将产生一个复合骨固定装置的原型。该复合材料装置具有以下独特的特点：弹性模量与骨相匹配，韧性优异，具有生物相容性和生物可吸收性。该装置消除了市场上常用的金属骨固定装置存在的应力屏蔽、金属离子释放和骨愈合后再骨折等问题。该项目涉及使用新型材料设计和制造技术来提高复合材料的机械性能。为此，我们组建了一个多学科团队，在生物材料、聚合物和复合材料加工和表征、技术转让和商业化方面具有专业知识。该项目吸引了来自大学和工业界的研究人员，将这项技术从研究发现转化为商业现实。这种新型复合材料将极大地造福于那些遭受骨折和需要骨科手术的患者。这是因为基于新型复合材料的新型骨固定装置将直接解决现有磷灰石/聚合物复合材料力学性能差以及目前市场解决方案金属骨固定装置的应力屏蔽和骨再骨折问题。此外，这项工作将为骨固定材料的制造提供一种新的加工方法，从而有助于美国在骨固定设备市场上的竞争力。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating the novel design and fabrication of a polymer-based composite for bone fixation applications. The project will result in a prototype of a composite bone fixation device. This composite device has the following unique features: matching elastic modulus to bone, excellent toughness, and it is biocompatible and bioresorable. These devices would eliminate the problems associated with the commonly used metallic bone fixation devices in the market, such as stress shielding, release of metal ions and bone re-fracture after healing. This project addresses the use of novel materials design and fabrication techniques to enhance the mechanical properties of the composite. To this end, a multi-disciplinary team has been formed with expertise in biomaterials, polymer and composite processing and characterization, technology transfer and commercialization. The project engages investigators from University to industry in this technology translation effort from research discovery toward commercial reality.The new composite material will greatly benefit patients who suffer from bone fractures and are in need of orthopedic surgeries. This is because the novel bone fixation devices, based on the new composite material, will directly address the poor mechanical properties of existing apatite/polymer composites and the stress-shielding and bone re-fracture problems of metallic bone-fixation devices, the current market solutions. In addition, the work will present a new processing approach for fabrication of bone-fixation materials and thus contribute to U.S. competitiveness in the bone fixation device market.