Gender Related Implant Examination

01.06.2010 - 31.05.2012

Forschungsförderungsprojekt

It is well established that materials per se are gender-invariant. But on the other hand it is known that body reactions have a gender specific aspect (e.g., effects of pharmaceuticals). Furthermore it is known that the female life-long chronobiological cycle influences the stability of ligaments and other soft parts of the musculoskeletal system. Astonishingly no investigations regarding the influence of the sex of the patient concerning lifetime of load bearing implant materials could be found. At the moment there is only one total knee replacement designed to meet women¿s anatomical differences (Zimmer® Gender Solutions¿ NexGen ® High-Flex Knee). The aim of the project is to investigate gender specific influences on the material by means of systematic failure analysis on in vivo failed implants. The questions arising for this project are the following: How does the application in female or male human body influence implants? In which way the sex of the patient affects the failure of the prosthesis (besides weight of the person, age, activities etc.)? Failed PE-UHMW implants will be allocated during revision surgery at the Medical University Vienna, Department of Orthopedics, ao. Univ. Prof. G. Skrbensky and Dr. Kolb, and in cooperation with Prof. L. Costa, University of Torino, Dipartimento di Chimica I. F.M. The explants will be chosen to allow a first statistical evaluation (at least seven samples of each sex, from the same age group, made of the same PE-UHMW type and thermal history with comparable implantation time). In parallel, the specific synovial fluid, which is in direct contact with the implant in the body, will be analyzed. Based on already finished and published primary investigations the following methods will be used: Fourier Transformed Infra Red Spectroscopy Differential Scanning Calorimetry Instrumented Nanoindentation Optical Microscopy Biaxial tension tests on miniature specimen This combination of methods allows a comprehensive material characterisation including both, structural parameters and mechanical properties. We expect to reveal fundamental information for the development of gender-specific implant material. An increase in average lifetime of the prosthesis lowers social and economic costs for the health care system. The project is sited in a multidisciplinary field, combining Polymer Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Medicine. The work will be conducted at Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Material Science and Technology. Project leader is ao. Univ. Prof.in Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki, the duration of the proposed project is two years.

Personen

Institut

E308 - Institute of Materials Science and Technology

Grant funds

FFG - Österr. Forschungsförderungs- gesellschaft mbH (National) Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)

Forschungsschwerpunkte

Non-metallic Materials: 50%
Biological and Bioactive Materials: 50%

Schlagwörter

Deutsch	Englisch
Endoprothesen	Total joint replacement
Werkstoffcharacterisierung	Material characterisation
Gender-Aspekte	Gender apects
Biomoleküle	biomolecules

Externe Partner_innen

Medizinische Universität Wien Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie
Institut für Chemische Technologien und Analytik

Publikationen

Publikationsliste