Warwick: A novel scaffold to help build bones

Commercialisation opportunity

A method of producing synthetic bone, based on techniques normally used to make catalytic converters for cars, is being developed by researchers at WMG (formerly Warwick Manufacturing Group) at the University of Warwick.

Dr Kajal Mallick is developing the technique along with his postgraduate researcher James Meredith. They strongly believe it could offer substantial clinical benefits to patients undergoing bone implant surgery. The researchers are now working closely with Warwick Ventures, the university’s technology transfer office, to find a suitable partner to help commercialise the technology.

The technique involves state-of-the-art extrusion of the implant material through a mould to produce a three-dimensional honeycomb texture, which has uniform pores throughout. The material can then be sculpted by the surgeon to match the defect precisely. After implantation bone cells are transported into the implant and begin to form new bone.

“We worked with a Japanese company which manufactures catalytic converters and used their facility to produce samples which we could then test in the laboratory,” explains Dr Mallick. “We found that we were able to use calcium phosphates – a family of bioceramics that are routinely used in bone implant operations, but by using this technique we were able to improve significantly both the strength and porosity of the implant.

“At the present time, there is no product available in the market place that satisfies both these key properties simultaneously. It is nearly an ideal scaffold structure for efficient blood flow and formation of new bone cells.”

According to the researchers, the increased strength of the material means it could be used in spinal surgery or in revision hip and knee operations, where non-degradable materials such as titanium or steel may be used currently. The advantage of increased and interconnected porosity is that the implant can quickly be filled with blood vessels, resulting in a more rapid healing process.

The team’s research is being presented on 9 December at Bioversity 2008, a national university technology showcase event.