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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是治疗关节关节炎。该项目将推进关节修复特殊材料的使用，这种材料允许设备模拟身体的自然软组织，并提供解剖学上正确的支撑。这些材料还提供了微创手术的优势，即开发针对患者的特定设备。它将提供治疗足部、手部、膝关节(如全膝关节置换术)、脊柱(如全关节盘置换术)和任何承重骨科组织(如半月板)的能力。拟议的项目重点是推进液晶弹性体(LCE)的平移，将其作为跖趾关节(MTP)的软骨替代装置来治疗拇指僵硬。拇指僵硬是一种大脚趾根部的关节紊乱。该项目将是第一个研究LCEs用于骨科应用的项目，并开发一种使用LCEs的MTP关节修复。与硅胶或水凝胶等传统弹性体相比，LCE具有更优越的能量耗散性能。本项目将从液晶弹性体科学、粘弹性和生物工程等学科中演示LCEs用于治疗退行性关节。LCEs的行为与生物组织相似，是众所周知的。这项拟议的项目将完成：1)合成LCE以模拟自然关节的机械特性，以最大限度地减少模拟生理条件下的磨损率；以及2)与实践状态相比，LCE的生物力学性能和生物兼容性的验证。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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.