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Project Topic
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Vertebral body replacement is still a challenge for surgeons, burdened by 45.5% complication rate, posing a huge societal, healthcare and also, economic impact. Among the complications, surgical site infections are particularly critical and difficult to treat. Poor bone regeneration and mechanical instability are further potential issues, also correlated with infections. NANO-VERTEBRA project proposes a breakthrough approach to realize customized prosthesis to replace vertebral bodies affected by bone tumours or major traumatic events, specifically engineered to prevent infections and to promote fast and effective bone regeneration. The approach will start from the nano-scale, but will encompass micro- and macro- scales, as geometry and shape of the implants will also be customized to boost integration and to be patient specific. Antibacterial efficacy will be maximized by nano-thick and nanostructured silver coatings, capable of assuring a tailored ion-release, engineered to prevent cytotoxicity and the development of resistant bacterial strains. To mitigate possible negative effects of silver onto bone cells, combinations with hydroxyapatite and bone apatite will be considered, to release, in the peri-implant environment, ions capable of triggering host cells response. Surfaces nanostructuration will allow boosting adhesion, spreading and proliferation of cells onto the implants. Optimization, customization and manufacturing of the implant will be achieved by high resolution imaging, computer-assisted modeling and 3D printing. The new implants will be validated in-vitro and in-vivo, allowing developments from TRL3 to TRL5 and paving the way for clinical applications. The results obtained here can be easily adapted to other orthopedic implants (i.e. hip and knee prostheses), for which the indication are much more frequent, involving hundreds of thousands implants manufactured every year, favoring industrial applications.
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