| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C011112/1 |
| Title: |
Magneto-Mechanical Bone Growth Stimulation by Actuation of Highly Porous Ferromagnetic Fibre Arrays |
| Principal Investigator: |
Markaki, Dr AE |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Materials Science & Metallurgy |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 August 2005 |
Ends: |
31 July 2010 |
Value (£): |
240,656
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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13 Apr 2005
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Engineering Fellowships Interview Panel 2005
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Deferred
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08 Mar 2005
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Engineering Fellowships Sift Panel 2005
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Deferred
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The project will involve exploration of a completely new approach to solving the crucial problem of interfacial loosening, which commonly occurs with prosthetic implants. The idea is based on the introduction of a relatively thick, highly porous metallic layer, strongly attached to the surface of the prosthesis. This layer will be composed of an array of ferromagnetic fibres bonded together, into which bone growth can readily occur. The innovative concept is that, during the critical period immediately after implantation, mechanical strain will be generated in the embryonic bone growing into the layer, by applying a magnetic field. This field will elastically deform the fibre array and hence mechanically strain the in-growing bone tissue network. Preliminary modelling work has indicated that strains induced in this way should be sufficient to stimulate enhanced bone growth, provided the architecture of the fibre array conforms to certain requirements. Processing, magneto-mechanical characteristics and bio-compatibility aspects will be studied. A customised set-up will be constructed, allowing in vitro study of bone cell growth into such a porous material, with and without applied magnetic fields. Surface treatments will be used to deposit thin bioactive coatings. The work will involve a combination of in vitro cell culture work, local and macroscopic mechanical and magnetic testing, microstructural studies and both numerical and analytical modelling. The work will establish whether the approach shows real promise and, if so, may lead to the development of a new therapy for optimisation of implant reliability.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |