All articles by Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Improved integration
Poor osseointegration and implant failures are still common occurrences in healthcare due to the lack of contact between the implant and bone. To improve this, implant surfaces are of particular interest for researchers in developing implant materials. A number of studies have shown that implant surfaces that mimic the roughness and hydrophilicity of bone promote tissue regeneration and bone growth. Monica Karpinski speaks to Guillermo Ameer, professor of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery at Northwestern University, and Jessica Bertrand, professor and head of the Experimental Orthopaedics Research Unit at the Orthopaedic University Hospital Magdeburg, to find out the latest developments in implant materials and how researchers are working to improve osseointegration processes.
Mixing metals
Choosing the right material is crucial in the medical device industry, as infection or failure is a major issue for healthcare. Implants are one such area where infection is one of the leading causes of failure post-surgery. With titanium as the go-to material for surgical implants, it is not the best-suited material for resisting infection. But one novel surgical implant managed to kill 87% of bacteria in laboratory testing, using 3D printing to add 10% tantalum and 3% copper to promote cell growth and fight off infection. Patrick McGuire speaks to Amit Bandyopadhyay, Boeing distinguished professor at WSU’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Indranath Mitra, postdoctoral research fellow of physiology and biomedical engineering at the Mayo Clinic, about the importance of material selection and how choosing the right materials can lead to better infection control.
The next step
Sustainable packaging is increasingly becoming an expectation across all industries. However, this can be complicated when recycling medical packaging and waste due to the environmental hazards and nature of the medical device industry. With medical packaging being a 4.4% contributor to net global greenhouse gas emissions by the healthcare industry – according to a Healthcare Without Harm paper – it’s no surprise that manufacturers are evolving to be more environmentally friendly. Martin Morris speaks to Adalbert Jahnz, European Commission spokesperson for environment, maritime affairs, transport, and Samantha Smith, engineering director – Product Stewardship, at Medtronic, to find out more.
A coat for every occasion
Roughly 1% of patients who undergo hip or knee replacements can develop an infection postoperation. Recently, researchers at Colorado State University and the University of St Andrews in Scotland have developed an effective and flexible antimicrobial material to coat internal medical devices. Combining both universities’ research, the membrane slowly releases nitric oxide that kills bacteria and fungus over an extended time. Phoebe Galbraith speaks to Melissa Reynolds, Boettcher Investigator and chemistry professor at Colorado State University, and Russell E Morris, Bishop Wardlaw professor, School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, to find out how this coating could offer a non-drug-based route to preventing infection.
The rise of a new polymer
More and more the medical sector is seeing plastic and polymer technologies reveal themselves as worthwhile substitutes for metal, lessening cost and providing design flexibility. This being said, quality is still vital. Global advanced materials leader Arkema has just launched a new bio-based, recyclable medical polymer poised to re-define the surgical tools market.
Robotic automation
When it comes to upgrading the suite of technology operating on the factory fl oors of medical device manufacturers, getting it right can be tricky. Between historically high investments costs and challenges around education and implementation, that’s especially true when it comes to robotics and automation. Yet if these difficulties have traditionally limited the ability of smaller companies to embrace the power of robots, things are changing fast. Andrea Valentino investigates, along the way speaking to experts across the sector.