The National Centre for Research and Development

  Project title

Development of individualized biodegradable implants for bone reconstruction procedures

  Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries

Syntplant sp. z o. o. from Poznan

Silesian Piast Medical University in Wrocław

Moratex Institute of Security Technology from Łódź

  Name of programme

Smart Growth Operational Program

  Competition

Fast track

  Project value

PLN 7,940,717.18

  Funding value

PLN 6,866,593.27

  Project delivery period

from February 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023

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What problem does our project solve?

Our goal is to implement the production technology of 3D printing custom-made medical implants from bone-forming material for use in bone reconstructions, in particular neurosurgical ones of the cranial vault and facial skeleton, also intended for the youngest pediatric patients.

The idea is to introduce implants tailored to the individual anatomical features of a given person and made of a biodegradable and resorbable polylactide polymer (PLLDLA) or its derivatives filled with hydroxyapatite. Implants are prepared based on 3D imaging of the material from a given patient's computed tomography.

The key feature of the material and at the same time a key advantage over other types of implants - e.g. titanium, ceramic - is that this material is gradually biodegradable and metabolically absorbed by the body, and at the same time the released spaces are filled with new, natural growths of the patient's bones (regeneration).

It is possible to direct the resorption time of the implanted material so that the process of remodeling and reconstruction of bone tissue is possible during the resorption of the implant. This solution allows for the repair of defects/damage to the anatomical bone structure during surgery and the reconstruction of the anatomically correct bone structure with the parallel disappearance of the implant itself.

Our technology may be particularly helpful in the treatment of bone defects in children. Currently, the smallest patients cannot use craniofacial implants due to the fact that they do not "grow" with the child. The previous use of such implants in children required subsequent surgeries and replacement of the applied devices from time to time.

Bone-forming implants "grow" with the little patient, and after a period of 12-24 months, they completely degrade from the body, and the patient's bone tissue is rebuilt in their place.

Who will benefit from the project results?

The problems that are solved in our product are global. They apply equally to every society. Also in developing countries. The solutions influence the effectiveness of treatment of defects in oncology, orthopedics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and even in cardiac surgery (sternal bone regeneration). The technology enables its dissemination in hospitals in small towns. The products are used not only for complex bone reconstructions, e.g. skull, but also in less complicated dental surgery procedures, e.g. reconstruction of parts of the jaw bones performed in dental offices.