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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/C011112/1
Title: Magneto-Mechanical Bone Growth Stimulation by Actuation of Highly Porous Ferromagnetic Fibre Arrays
Principal Investigator: Markaki, Professor AE
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Materials Science & Metallurgy
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 August 2005 Ends: 31 July 2010 Value (£): 240,656
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biomaterials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
13 Apr 2005 Engineering Fellowships Interview Panel 2005 Deferred
08 Mar 2005 Engineering Fellowships Sift Panel 2005 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
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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Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk