The “MioHIP“ project is developing a natural prosthetic replacement for osteoarthritis patients. The elastic femoral head cover is intended to preserve the joint and its function and guarantee the natural mobility of the affected person into old age. In this way, the product is intended to replace the implantation of artificial joints over the long term.
The chronic pain experienced by arthrosis patients can only be permanently alleviated with prostheses according to the latest technology. However, artificial joints are also associated with risks such as bone loss. The prosthetic replacement, which is being developed as part of “MioHIP“, represents an alternative to conventional prostheses. The near-natural, elastic cover is placed around the femoral head like a cuff and can thus replace the worn cartilage in the joint. The femoral head cover is used in minimally invasive procedures that bypass bone and ligament resections. This spares arthrosis patients from a greater risk of surgery while also allowing them to benefit from a short rehabilitation period.
The femoral head cover is designed while taking into account different load scenarios. The anatomical differences between men and women will also play a role in the design of the prototype. The material of the cover, a specially developed polyurethane, will have similar elastic properties to human cartilage tissue. The scientists are modifying the polymers to create a biomimetic surface and increase the material's compatibility with the human body.
During the development of the femoral head cover, the project partners attach great importance to using materials that conserve resources. Metallic and ceramic materials are therefore not used in the development process. Compressed CO2 is used to purify the plastic product, which can then be removed without leaving any residue. Unlike comparable technologies, the process does not use any organic solvents for polymer modification. High-pressure impregnation is therefore particularly risk-free from an environmental and health point of view and is also suitable for manufacturing other medical engineering products.
The biomimetic approach contributes to a qualitative and sustainable improvement of medical care in orthopedics and helps arthrosis patients to carry out their daily activities independently again – without having to take on the risks of artificial prostheses.
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Duration: | June 2016 to May 2019 |
| Website: | www.leitmarktagentur.nrw | |
Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT