Responsive hydrotalcites delivery vehicle as smart filler for degradable biomedical implants

By implementation of smart nanoparticles we obtain better tunable and bioactive biodegradable implants that are able to better treat patients who are in need of bone reconstructive surgery. The project revolves around KISUMA Chemicals (Hydrotalcites), Polyvation (Biodegradable polymers), and UMCG-BME (biomedical applications).

Every year, many people obtain an implant after a fracture of their bone. While in many case titanium is used, it is highly preferred when a second surgery can be avoided and that the implant does not need to be removed. Biodegradable implants are the solution and degrade over time, however, sometimes the degradation is too fast and the tissue has not been restored yet fully. Medical implant materials that are better connected to the development of the tissue would prevent complications for the patient.

Here we aim to slow down the degradation by adding a filler that prevents acid formation, which is formed during degradation. It will allow for the implant to maintain its structure longer, causing the bone to be restored better and thereby helping the patient in their recovery. The beauty is that the same particle used as a filler can also be used to store drugs, which also can help restoring bone formation. The filler material used are hydrotalcites, layer nanoclay particles, that can be combined with polylactic acid polymers. Both materials are already on the market and used for medical treatment (hydrotalcite as anti-acid, Polylactic acid as implant material) but have not been combined in this new innovative fashion.

We aim to deliver a composite biomedical degradable material that degrades with high control and is able to deliver pharmaceutical compounds to restore tissue function.