Human bodies can heal broken bones without intervention, but more serious breaks require an implantation process using the injured person’s bones, known as autografts. Though metal and ceramic are common implants used for severe breaks, ceramic implants can be used in injuries involving the spine.
Examples of injuries that might require bone grafting include delayed union, malunion and nonunion. While delayed union occurs when bone fusion happens slower than expected, malunion occurs when bones heal abnormally and nonunion occurs when bones do not fuse at all.
With an emphasis on the future, ETH Zurich’s research team created a hydrogel consisting of water and a network of polymers to replace autografts, ceramic and metal techniques of the past.
Since the gel is soft and because the skeletal system must withstand injuries to uphold the body, a process to harden the gel is required. Researchers used laser light to solidify the gel. After the laser hardening procedure is carried out, bone-forming cells overtake the delicate and small structures formed during the laser process.
Technological implications are not the only concern with this novel medical breakthrough; biology is just as important.
“For proper healing, it is vital that biology is incorporated into the repair process,” Assistant Professor of Biomaterials Engineering in the Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich Xiao-Hua Qin said.
Implications of this reality mean that bone cells colonizing the implant prior to forming new bone tissue is necessary for healing to ensure using this novel technology remains useful.
Currently, more innovation is needed. Qin took this newfound realization and created a hydrogel that dissolves in the body and may be useful in creating individualized bone implants.
Natural biological processes and manmade technology can be compatible; however, the hydrogel has yet to be used for a person’s healing.
The breakthrough is confined to test tubes. The tests indicate that bone-forming cells colonize the hydrogel structure and go through natural processes such as collagen production. Researchers hope that hydrogel implants will be common in medical facilities, such as clinics for bone repairs. However, that day will take time to arrive because additional animal testing with the AO Research Institute Davos is needed.
Qin’s collaboration with the institute aims to figure out if the hydrogel restores strength over a period and if it encourages bone-cell migration.
