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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/J59135/01
Title: A NOVEL IMPLANT TO FACILITATE THE REGENERATION OF THE RUPTURED ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT (BIO-ACL)
Principal Investigator: Shelton, Professor JC
Other Investigators:
Bonfield, Professor W Bader, Professor DL
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Smith & Nephew
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Organisation: Queen Mary University of London
Scheme: LINK
Starts: 07 February 1994 Ends: 06 February 1997 Value (£): 121,003
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biomaterials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The aim of this project is to develop a cell-seeded bioresorbable implant for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Rupture of the ACL is a common injury following athletic and road traffic accidents. The injury causes knee instability in the short term and, in the long term, leads to the development of osteoarthritis with a high probability of the requirement for joint replacement. Surgical reconstruction of the ligament currently relies either on graft tissue taken from the patient, resulting in significant donor site morbidity, or the use of synthetic prostheses, which suffer gross material failure within 10 years of implantation. The limitations in current practice provide an opportunity to develop an implant which produces biological repair of the ruptured ACL. The device will consist of a bioresorbable scaffold seeded with the patient's cells obtained from a simble skin biopsy. On implantation, the cells will synthesise tissue as the scaffold gradually resorbs, resulting in the formation of a new tissue to replace the ruptured ligament. The primary benefit will be the provision of a biological repair of the ACL by the patient's own cells, resulting in a tissue which is capable of self-renewal and can respond to changes in physiological loads. The traumatic procedure for harvesting donor tissue will be avoided, resulting in a reduction in costs associated with in-patient stay. The provision of an effective reconstruction of the ACL will reduce costs to the National Health Service, and reduce costs to the patient and employer in lost earning capacity.
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