Biphasic Polymer Composite for Meniscal Tissue Replacement

 描述（由申请人提供）：对于健康的关节来说，具有完整和功能性的骨关节炎对于预防骨关节炎至关重要。该项目致力于从双相聚合物复合材料中创建替代半月板，作为半月板损伤的潜在手术解决方案。为了实现这一点，尼龙纤维和具有末端羟基的聚苯乙烯-聚环氧乙烷二嵌段共聚物都将被化学改性以产生复合纤维增强的水凝胶，该水凝胶将进一步用双图案化的互穿透明质酸（HA）网络改性。据推测，控制共聚物成分、纤维密度和HA连接线密度将导致材料特性与自体半月板相似。此外，假设这种双相聚合物复合材料可以被模塑成具有与天然半月板相似的压力分布特性的3D半月板构造，并且将在体内大型动物模型中保护下面的软骨。将创建18种双相聚合物复合材料变体并进行机械测试，以优化材料的体内性能。压缩、拉伸、剪切、恢复、疲劳和撕裂试验将用于比较18种变化。将对绵羊膝盖进行磁共振成像，并用于构建3D模型。纤维将沿周向对齐，末端延伸超过主体，用于胫骨连接。将前四个优化的3D结构的压力分布特性与完整的自体半月板、椎间盘切除术后的关节和通过骨隧道重新连接的自体半月板进行比较。将使用Tekscan压力膜确定峰值压力、平均压力、峰值压力位置和接触面积。最后，我们将在体内大型动物模型中评估该结构保护底层软骨的能力。如果该项目的目标得以实现，将存在一种双相聚合物复合材料半月板，其模仿天然人类半月板的机械和功能特性。这种骨关节置换可能为骨关节炎和骨关节损伤领域提供革命性的补充。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): It is crucial for healthy joints to have intact and functional menisci to prevent osteoarthritis. This project strives to create a replacement meniscus from a biphasic polymer composite as a potential surgical solution for meniscal injury. To accomplish this, nylon fibers and polystyrene - polyethylene oxide diblock copolymer with a terminal hydroxyl group will both be chemically modified to create a composite fiber-reinforced hydrogel that will be further modified with a photopatterned interpenetrating hyaluronan (HA) network. It is hypothesized that controlling for copolymer composition, fiber density, and HA tie line density will result in material properties similar to those of the native meniscus. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that this biphasic polymer composite can be molded into a 3D meniscal construct with similar pressure distribution properties as the native meniscus and will protect the underlying cartilage in an in vivo large animal model. Eighteen variations of the biphasic polymer composite will be created and mechanically tested to optimize the material properties for in vivo performance. Compressive, tensile, shear, recovery, fatigue and tear tests will be used to compare the 18 variations. Magnetic resonance images will be taken of sheep knees and used to construct a 3D mold. The fibers will be aligned circumferentially with ends extending past the main body for use in tibial attachment. The pressure distribution properties of the top four optimized 3D constructs will be compared to the intact native meniscus, the joint following a meniscectomy, and the native meniscus reattached through bone tunnels. Peak pressure, mean pressure, location of peak pressure, and contact area will be determined using Tekscan pressure film. Finally we will evaluate the ability of the construct to protect the underlying cartilage in an in vivo large animal model. If the goals of this project are met there would exist a biphasic polymer composite meniscus that mimics the mechanical and functional properties of the native human meniscus. This meniscal replacement could provide a revolutionary addition to the field of osteoarthritis and meniscal injury.