Cartilage is a flexible skeletal tissue, formed by isolated groups of cells included in a collagen matrix that can wear out over time.
Due to the wear of the knee cartilage, researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valéncia, the University of Notre Dame (USA) and the Technological University of Auckland (New Zealand), together with the multinational Zimmer, have perfected a new material that improves the effectiveness and durability of articular cartilage implants in knee operations. This is one of the injuries that affects many people, especially the elderly and athletes. The solution of this wear of knee cartilage in many cases requires a surgical intervention, in which the worn cartilage is replaced by a 3D polymer, whose mechanical characteristics are very similar to that of natural tissue, however, currently used with the passage of time has become deficient.
In this sense, the Researchers with this new manufacture of cartilage that they have perfected increases by 80% the useful life of the implants, significantly reducing wear and tear and increasing the quality of life of people.
For the manufacture of this knee cartilage researchers have perfected a new technique, based on the use of laser technology, which prevents the wear of cartilage, it is essential that the fibers do not deviate laterally when subjected to a normal weight, therefore The proposal is selective laser welding of the surface layers of 3D fabrics. In this way, the fibers are stronger and the material is much more durable.
The details are published in the journal Materials Science and Engineering.
These and other innovations are now possible in Pharmamedic.
