Project
A new regeneration method of intervertebral disc.
Description
One of the major pathologies in degenerative disease of the intervertebral disc is a damage of the annulus fibrosus, which promotes aformation of disc herniae. The rupture leads to the development of hernias and further degeneration. Since spine disorders are very common, therefore any method of effective regeneration of damaged and / or weakened annulus fibrosus in combination with improvement of the nucleus pulposus would be of great clinical and socioeconomic significance. The purpose of the project is to develop a dedicated system for treating disc injury, ie Disc Repair System (DRS) that would consist of four elements (i) a bioactive fibrous dressing for stabilizing and regenerating the annulus fibrosus; (ii) a dressing attachment mechanism; (iii) a granulate for the nucleus pulposus reconstruction – polymeric capsules for restoring biofunctional features of the nucleus pulposus and (iv) surgical instruments. The dressing will be a fiber mesh made of biocomposites and attached to the bones of adjacent vertebra bodies via a bioresorbable or nonabsorbable material. Injectable swollen polymer capsules for restoring functions of the nucleus pulposus will be made of natural polymers (alginate, chitose, collagen) or synthetic ones, eg copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylamide or poloxamers.
Treatment will also include an intra-disc transfer of intervertebral disc suspension containing autologous mesenchymal stem cells and cell nourishing structures (eg polymer nanofibres secreting cell growth factors). Use of biomaterial dressing + support of regeneration of the nucleus pulposus + application of cell therapy is a fast and effective repair of the intervertebral disc.
Funding
National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR)
Leader
Warsaw University of Technology, Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT
Partners
GP BIONICS Ltd.
Project value
- In total: 9 435 474,07 pln
- WUT: 4 171 495,54 pln
Project Manager
Prof. Tomasz Ciach PhD, DSc, Eng.