Digital Multi-channel Tibial Implants in Orthopedic Medicine

该项目的主要目标是开发低成本的金属复合髓内钉（IM），用于创伤应用，采用高价值的制造方法，如3D打印，注塑和胶带缠绕加工。尽管使用复合材料在改善愈合部位的可视化和解释以及更好的结果方面具有显着的患者和外科医生优势，但转向复合材料的商业动机仍然是该项目的关键实际问题。这是由于更高的制造成本，以及将新技术引入市场所带来的技术和商业风险。为了应对这些挑战，合作伙伴（Smith & Nephew, Invibio， TWI ltd和GCI）利用TSB资金（50万英镑）形成了战略联盟，以开发具有更高产品性能的产品，并以具有竞争力的价格满足复合钉钉系统的市场需求。这个为期两年半的项目将提供新的工艺、产品技术、知识产权/专有技术，并在制造成本、环境影响和产品性能方面提供比目前最佳领域的改进。这将有助于提供一个技术平台，在医疗保健市场内外的多个应用程序中实现潜在的商业利益。

The primary objective of this project is to develop low cost, metal-composite intramedullary (IM) nails for trauma application using high value manufacturing methods such as 3D printing, injection moulding and tape winding processing. Although there are significant patient and surgeon advantages to using composite materials in terms of improved visualization and interpretation of the healing site, and better outcomes, the commercial motivation to switch to composites remains a critical practical issue to the project. This is due to higher manufacturing costs, and the technical and commercial risks associated with the introduction of a new technology into the market place. In order to address these challenges, the partners (Smith & Nephew, Invibio, TWI ltd and GCI.) have formed a strategic alliance using TSB funding (£0.5M) in order to develop products with improved product performance at a competitive price that meets the market requirements for a composite nailing system. The 2.5 year project will deliver novel processes, product technology, IP/know-how, and offer improvements over current best-in-field in terms of manufacturing costs, environmental impact, and product performance. This will help provide a technology platform from which potential commercial benefits are realized across multiple applications within the healthcare market and beyond.