Evonik biodegradable composites: significant advances in medical implant technology

Evonik Industries is developing advanced biodegradable high-strength composites . These materials are expected to replace metal as an implant fixed inside the fracture. The implant plays a vital role in supporting the healing of the bone. The metal implants currently in use are either permanently left in the body or need to be removed by additional surgery. In contrast, implants made from innovative composite materials are naturally absorbed by the body during bone healing. These materials consist of polymers and naturally occurring substances in the bones. Evonik's research is still in its infancy, but its potential benefits for patients are already evident. The patient will not need to undergo additional surgery to remove the implant. Special instrument designs also help bones regenerate more quickly.

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The project is currently underway at the Medical Devices Project House in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. The project has a team of more than 20 experts. Their mission is to develop new medical technology solutions and materials, especially implants. The head of the project house, Dr. Andreas Karau, described their vision: "In the long run, our focus is on regenerative medicine. We hope

Develop bioabsorbable implants to replace damaged tissue with healthy tissue. Our current work on biodegradable composites is taking the first step toward this goal. ”

The market demand for high strength biodegradable materials is enormous. The number of implants required for fracture fixation is considerable: for example, osteoporosis causes approximately 8.9 million fractures per year. In addition, the 300 billion euro global medical technology market is growing at a rate of about 6% per year. The United States accounts for the largest share of the global market, about 40%. In addition, US companies are major players in implant technology, and other major medical technology markets include Europe and Japan.

“Evonik has a leading position in the field of polylactic acid-based polymers, which is an important basis for our development of regenerative medicine materials and solutions,” explains Karau. This polymer decomposes into carbon dioxide and water, and its degradation time depends on molecular composition, chain length and crystallinity. The polymer will be present for weeks to months to ensure that bones or other tissues have enough time to regenerate.

Medical device manufacturers use polymers sold by the Evonik Health Care line to produce bioabsorbable bone screws, bone needles and small plates that are used primarily to suture knee or shoulder ligament tears, as well as to fix small fingers or faces. skeleton.

But Karau also mentioned: "At present, the strength of this material is not enough to fix large, weight-bearing bones." Therefore, researchers in the medical equipment project house are trying to add inorganic substances such as phosphoric acid to degradable polymers. a derivative of calcium. This added substance not only increases the strength of the material, but also increases its biocompatibility. "As the polymer gradually decomposes, the calcium and phosphorus

The acid salt will be absorbed into the newly formed bone tissue. Said Karau.

In addition, the researchers' vision is even greater. With the right materials, they are expected to tailor their implants to patients with 3D printing . One of the goals of Birmingham's Evonik researchers is to make biodegradable polymers suitable for this production process.

Karau added: "Our long-term goal is to develop polymer scaffolds that can transplant living cells to create true biological implants." This approach will achieve cartilage regeneration, or replace damaged heart tissue with healthy tissue. . But researchers must first find ways to improve the biocompatibility of these materials.

Creavis' project houses bring together experts from different lines of business to focus on a specific area for three years of research. Once the project is over, the researchers will return to their respective lines of business, one of which will be responsible for promoting the final product and technology. Since 2000, Evonik has established a total of 11 project houses.