pSivida : Korean patent for orthopaedic products granted
Global nanotechnology company pSivida Limited announced that it has been granted its first patent in Korea. This is an important patent covering the electronic-based properties of BioSilicon(tm) in the stimulation of orthopaedic tissue repair and re-engineering where scaffolds are required to support new bone growth. The technology also has application for treatment of fractures that do not heal, such as "bone non-union".
A further key application is in management and monitoring of reconstructive orthopaedic or implant surgery. pSivida expects this new technology to have application in the attachment and integration of smart implants to bone. MEMS (micro-electronic etc) components such as strain gauges and accelerometers are currently under evaluation as monitors of hip and knee prostheses. Loosening is one of the major problems of hip replacement as it leads to both pain and further damage to nearby tissues. Current techniques such as radiography are not capable of revealing minimal loosening which provides early warning of implant-interface failure. Accelerometers attached to bone tissue can detect micro-movement between femur and prosthesis.
Korean Patent Number 488643 provides protection for silicon implants comprising tissuecompatible and biodegradable silicon (BioSilicon(tm)). It further provides for electronic-based devices to facilitate the management of fractures, fusion and other related challenges in orthopedic therapy.
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