M. Schmidt (Lexington, US)

Hyalex Orthopaedics
My background is in engineering; with a focus on orthopaedics; wear and tribology. I worked with VC Mow in graduate school and managing his laboratory for several years. Subsequently; I worked in applied research at Johnson & Johnson; developing improved orthopaedic bearing materials for total hip and knee arthroplasty applications. I continued on to lead medical device research & development groups at several Johnson and Johnson companies. I then formed a company that provided preclinical test program consulting to many small medical device and tissue engineering companies; including Histogenics where I was a named inventor on 3 patents. Currently; I am leading R&D Hyalex Orthopaedics; an early stage medical device company.

Presenter Of 1 Presentation

 ICRS 2022 - Online Programme
Podium Presentation New Cartilage Technology

12.1.10 - A Novel Biomimetic Synthetic Cartilage Implant to Repair Osteochondral Lesions in the Knee

Presentation Topic
New Cartilage Technology
Date
13.04.2022
Lecture Time
17:51 - 18:00
Room
Bellevue
Session Name
12.1 - Animal Models
Session Type
Free Papers
Speaker
Authors
Disclosure
The authors are employees of Hyalex Orthopaedics.

Abstract

Purpose

There is an urgent need for a synthetic cartilage implant that can immediately withstand physiologic loading, prevent damage to articulating cartilage, and restore joint function for a wide patient demographic. In this study, a new synthetic bearing material (HYALEX® Cartilage) with bone fixation using an in situ photopolymerized adhesive was assessed in a large animal model.

Methods and Materials

The synthetic bearing is engineered from materials with the same unique structure-function relationships as native hyaline cartilage (Figure 1). An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of polyether urethane (PEU) and negatively charged polyelectrolyte is formed during manufacturing. PEU provides strength, while the polyelectrolyte causes the network to become hydrophilic and lubricious under load [Unterman, MRS 2020]. The hydrophobic backside of the synthetic bearing is optimized for fixation using a photopolymerizable adhesive [Bichara, ORS 2020].

Synthetic cartilage devices (8 mm diameter x 2 mm thickness) were implanted in medial femoral condyles of four adult goats. Using a medial parapatellar approach, a 4.1 mm deep osteochondral defect was drilled. Adhesive was applied in the site, the implant was seated, and the adhesive was photopolymerized. Joint tissues and implants were evaluated at 8 weeks.

icrs figure 1.png

Results

All implanted animals were fully weightbearing within 24 hours post-operatively, returned to normal gait, and successfully reached the study endpoint. Implants remained intact and well-fixed with no evidence of loosening or subsidence (Figure 2). Peri-implant cartilage and the anterior menisci articulating against the synthetic cartilage IPN were both normal. Medial tibial cartilage was equivalent for operated and contralateral control joints, indicating that articulation with the synthetic cartilage IPN maintained the native condition of the tissue.

icrs figure 2.png

Conclusion

A synthetic cartilage implant consisting of a lubricious, cartilage-friendly, hydrated IPN bearing material fixed in situ with a photopolymerizable adhesive has the potential to provide an off-the-shelf option for cartilage lesion repair and joint preservation.

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