Animals recover faster thanks to innovative implants from the Silesian University of Technology
A team of scientists from the Silesian University of Technology has developed a technology for obtaining coatings on the surface of bone implants for animals. One of the methods used is the so-called plasma anodic oxidation. Thanks to this technique, we can obtain a porous coating with calcium, phosphorus or silicon compounds on the surface of implants of various sizes and shapes. The coating promotes the fusion of the implant with the bone tissue. Since animals are demanding patients, it is advantageous when the time to return to their activity is as short as possible.
Coating technology on the surface of bone implants for animals was developed under the supervision of Dr hab. Eng. Alicja Kazek-Kęsik, prof. SUT, as part of the implementation of two Leader projects (NCBR): “Technology for the production of hybrid layers on titanium implants dedicated to animals" and "Long-term titanium implants with a bioactive ceramic coating. Both were financed by the National Centre for Research and Development, and their total value is PLN 1,700,000, -.
“The market for animal implants is growing very fast. The implantation of materials into the bone is sometimes very problematic, which results from the diversity of animal structure and the occurrence of inflammation. Currently, materials are being sought that will accelerate the fusion of implants with the bone and prevent bacterial colonization. Avoiding reoperation of animals is extremely important in order to reduce their stress, treatment and enable rehabilitation to start as soon as possible. The Leader (NCBR) project developed a method of obtaining drug-containing layers, and the process of obtaining them is so universal that veterinarians could decide for themselves which of the available drugs would be appropriate for the patient - says prof. A. Kazek-Kęsik
Coatings developed by scientists from the Silesian University of Technology make the implant implanted in the animal body much better tolerated. – For us doctors, the most important thing is to "cheat" the body with such an implant. Titanium, although it is the most neutral metal for the body, is still a foreign body for it, which it wants to get rid of, and the coatings in question mean that the body does not see this metal and does not reject the implant - explains veterinarian Michał Stelmaszyk.
In the developed implants, polymers with known susceptibility to disintegration under the influence of water were used to create a biodegradable drug-containing layer.
— The use of polymers in medicine is currently very broad. Polymers are used in medicine for the production of medical equipment, apparatus and as biomaterials, as well as in pharmacy for the production of drug packaging and as components of drug delivery systems to ensure controlled drug release tailored to a specific therapy. In our implants we use polyanhydrides - adipic (PADA) and sebacic (PSBA) and polyesters - poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers (PLGA). The properties of these polymers allowed for a controlled release of antibiotics - explains Dr Eng. Monika Śmiga-Matuszowicz from the Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers .
Currently, at the Faculty of Chemistry, where the patents were developed, another research project is being carried out, aimed at obtaining bacteriostatic coatings that prevent inflammation and infection around wounds in animals, which unfortunately sometimes occur after implantation into the bone. The technologies are universal, so they allow you to cover the implants with a special coating of various shapes and sizes.
—The subject of surface modification of various types of metal implants has been dealt with in our Department for over 40 years. For almost 20 years we have been working on the functionalization of the surface of titanium implants dedicated to bone tissue. Thanks to cooperation with companies producing titanium implants, both for humans and animals, we are able to respond to their needs, says prof. dr hab. Eng. Wojciech Simka, head of the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry.
The potential of special coatings invented by scientists from the Silesian University of Technology is shown by the number of patents obtained so far - for bioactive coatings: 7 national patents; for patents concerning polymer coatings with bacteriostatic properties: 8 national patents, 4 European applications. One of the results of the work is the sale of a license to IWET, a manufacturer of implants for animals, which has started producing bioactive coatings on the surface of the implants.
— Thanks to the industrial experience gained in the implementation of surface treatment technology, we were able to propose our solutions and implement the high-voltage electrochemical oxidation process at IWET from Kleosina near Białystok, which produces implants for animals. Cooperation is so interesting that you can try to jointly launch world-class solutions on the market. To a large extent, this is due to the demand and development in this area, but also to facilitated legal solutions. The products themselves must be tested for safety and interaction with the body. After all, the life and health of the patient is the most important - sums up prof. W. Simka.
The invention of the Silesian University of Technology is already used by IWET, a manufacturer of implants for animals. - Thanks to the patent created by scientists from the Silesian University of Technology, we have the ability to perform advanced coatings, even on implants with very complex shapes. They are better tolerated by the animal organism. So far, we have had several implantations of bionic prostheses that replace an animal's limb. After using this coating, we had no problems with the rejection of the prosthesis or the healing process - said Michał Sujet, IWET company.
Such implants can be used for complex fractures, if the animal has bone cancer or has been involved in a traffic accident, where, for example, a limb has been broken off.
The invention of scientists from the Silesian University of Technology is another one that we present as part of our Top 100 Innovations of the Silesian University of Technology cycle.
— The "Top 100 Innovations" program was created on the initiative of the Centre for Incubation and Technology Transfer of the Silesian University of Technology. Its main goal is to popularize the scientific achievements of the employees of the Silesian University of Technology by preparing Initial Technical Offers of solutions that are the subject of technological acquisition. “Top 100 Innovations" is a group of registered and selected intellectual goods developed by researchers at the Silesian University of Technology. The created database of solutions meets the requirements of the University's Intellectual Property Management Regulations and is characterized by an appropriate level of technological readiness according to TRL scale, enabling market application - explains Dr Eng. Jagoda Krzysteczko-Witek, information broker at CITT.
As part of the "Top 100 Innovations" program, a series of meetings with the media and creators of developed technologies, as well as companies involved in the implementation of activities, is organized. Such meetings give an opportunity to disseminate the achievements of scientists in the environment, but also allow to build and strengthen relations between science and business in order to improve the quality of life.
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