New design of patient-specific, antimicrobial bioactive finger implants for durable functional reconstruction after amputation
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1
Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Armii Krajowej Av, 13/15, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
2
Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Polish Academy of Sciences, Reymonta St. 25, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
3
Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering,
Department of Biosensors and Processing of Biomedical Signals,
Roosevelt Str. 40, Zabrze, Poland
4
University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Jagiellońska St. 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland
5
JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsges.m.b.H., Institute of Surface Technologies and Photonics, Functional Surfaces, Leobner Strasse 94, 8712 Niklasdorf, Austria
6
Medical Instruments Factory CHIRMED Marcin Dyner, Mstowska St. 8A, 42-240 Rudniki, Poland
Engineering of Biomaterials 2021;(161):8-14
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ABSTRACT
The absence of even a single finger results in a major impairment in the hand function (precise grasping, grip power), therefore significantly affecting the social and professional life of victims who are frequently young people. Finger amputation is a surgical treatment for ~69.000 patients in the EU after traumatic injury, in which replantation microsurgery fails due to the severity of tissue damage. The surgical reconstruction is currently possible only via autograft transplantation, e.g. a toe-to-hand transfer, thus leading to foot impairment. Some motion functional restoration is also possible using a bone-anchored silicone prosthesis but without the sense revalidation.
Our current research focuses on alternatives for surgical reconstruction by means of novel patient-specific, durable, biomimetic, bioactive and antibacterial implants for reconstructing lost bone and joints. The implant design – and the improved micro(neuro)surgery (beyond the project) – will consist in the fast successful rehabilitation, including the soft-tissue related mobility, the implantation of state-of-the-art nerve conduits as well as the aesthetic appearance.
Key issues for the long-term functionality of the biomaterial-based reconstruction of hard tissue are based on surgical demands, such as: (1) perfect integration of a bone-substituting metal with the surrounding bone tissue (a) with no signs of loosening due to stress shielding at the interface and (b) enhanced with protective activity against bacterial inflammation (antimicrobial properties and formation of vascularized bone tissue (ossification)) even months to years after the injury; (2) biomimetic finger joints based on non-wearing materials without ossification meant to prevent the loss of the motion function.