Design and Fabrication of Biodegradable Scaffold for Finger Joint Arthroplasty Using 3d Printing

Small joint arthroplasty is a challenge in hand surgery. Several treatment modalities have been developed for reconstructive surgery including resection and soft-tissue interposition arthroplasties, silicone implant interposition arthroplasty, and total joint replacements. However, none of these seems ideal. Especially, the long-term follow-up outcome deteriorates and implant breakages and wears, as well as bone destruction. This proposal research aims to design and fabricate a new biodegradable scaffold for finger joint arthroplasty using 3D printing and electrospinning techniques. A bioresorbable finger joint that scaffolds the formation of connective tissues at the joints and dissolves after the remodeling process is completed has advantages over traditional finger joint implants. The research projects will consist of two parts and be completed in two years. 1) The first part (first year) is to develop biodegradable drug-eluting finger joints using 3D printing and co-axial electrospinning techniques. Biodegradable finger joints will be fabricated by a lab-developed solution-type 3D printer, while drug-eluting nanofibers will be prepared using a lab-made co-axial electrospinning device. Characterization of the biodegradable joints and nanofibers, including bending strength, fatigue strength, degradation rate, DSC, TGA, SEM analysis etc., will be tested and compared to that of commercial silicone joints. The in vitro release behavior of dexamethasone and connective tissue growth factors from the biodegradable joints will be characterized by using an elution method and a HPLC analysis/ELISA assay. In addition, the influence of various processing conditions on the release behavior will be examined. 2) The second year of the research aims to explore the effectiveness of developed finger joints in an animal model. Biodegradable finger joints will be implanted into the knee joints of New-Zealand white rabbits. The in vivo release of the drugs will be analyzed. The efficacy of implanted joints will be evaluated using X-ray, animal activity cage, as well as histological examination. The avoidance of permanent foreign material makes the biodegradable joint scaffold an attractive alternative for small joint arthroplasty. Eventually the biodegradable finger joints may be used in human being for cure of finger joint diseases.

Project ID:PB10907-2541
External Project ID:MOST109-2221-E182-058-MY2