Nanotechnology comes to spine!

[mmglobal]

I've attended (and spoken at) the last to conferences hosted by SUNY on Ethics in Biomedical Research. This semi-annual conference covers a wide range of technologies and the problems associated with developing them and mananging the risks. One hot topic has always been nanotechnology, or the development of microscopic particles that can do work for us inside a living organism. (Sorry for the oversimplified or incorrect definition for you techies out there.)

I'm very pleased to see an application of this new field come to spine!

Originally posted on University of California engineers develop novel method for accelerating bone growth

University of California engineers develop novel method for accelerating bone growth


1st on the web (February 4, 2009)
February 2009

Engineers at the University of California at San Diego have developed a way to help accelerate bone growth through the use of nanotubes and stem cells. The finding could lead to quicker and better recovery for patients who undergo orthopedic surgery.

UCSD researchers and engineers used a nano-bio technology method of placing mesenchymal stem cells on top of very thin titanium oxide nanotubes in order to convert the conversion paths into osteoblasts or bone-building cells. The group’s findings were published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

“What we anticipate through our research is that if the surgeon uses titanium oxide nanotubes with stem cells, the bone healing could be accelerated and a patient may be able to walk in 1 month instead of being on crutches for 3 months,” said Sungho Jin, a materials science professor at the Jacobs School of Engineering. “Our in-vitro and in-vivo data indicate that such advantages can occur by using the titanium oxide nanotube treated implants, which can reduce the loosening of bones.”