MP-1 a Game Changing Material for Trauma Orthopedic Devices

Orthopaedic fractures will increase in the coming years due to rise of the ageing population and sport activity. Bone fractures often require the surgical insertion of fixation implants such as nails or plates and screws to hold the bone pieces together during recovery. Conventionally made of metal or composite materials, they are subject to wear, resulting in inflammation, osteolysis and loosening of implants. Additional corrective revision surgeries are often necessary with obvious socioeconomic consequences, highlighting the need for wear-resistant biocompatible materials in orthopedic implants. EU funded MP-ORIF project for using a novel, biocompatible material that does not cause inflammation – polyimide MP-1. This biopolymer that MMATECH invented originated from the Aerospace industry and has many desirable features for orthopedic use such as toughness, wear resistance and self-lubrication. Easy to produce, MP-1 is friendly to the environment. It does not cause allergies like metals while its low thermal conductivity means that people will not suffer from weather changes. Importantly, it does not require implant removal after healing avoiding revision surgery. When first introduced, MP-1 obtained a CE mark for total hip liner implant replacing metal or ceramic or PE materials. Using compression molding, MP-ORIF partners successfully generated trauma implants such as nails, plates, screws and distal Radius implants. These were tested in animal models with very promising performance results with cartilage and new bone formation indicative of fracture gap closing. The MP-1 material demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and short healing period. Orthopaedic trauma surgeries involve long cuts, which leave ugly scars on the healed limb. The MP-ORIF solution enables the surgeon to execute minimally invasive surgeries with shorter surgery time. Concomitant hospitalisation and recovery times are reduced, minimising healthcare costs and improving patient quality of life. MP-1 implants will be the game changing solution in trauma and other orthopedic devices