Use of nanotexturing eyed to make knee implant safer

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

June 17, 2022, 7:29 pm

<p><strong>KNEE ARTHROPLASTY</strong>. A local firm will use nanotexturing to improve its total knee arthroplasty product and make it antibacterial. The Department of Science and Technology is supporting this project through funding of close to PHP5 million. <em>(Photo courtesy of Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory)</em></p>

KNEE ARTHROPLASTY. A local firm will use nanotexturing to improve its total knee arthroplasty product and make it antibacterial. The Department of Science and Technology is supporting this project through funding of close to PHP5 million. (Photo courtesy of Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory)

MANILA – A local firm will use surface nanotexturing or electrochemical etching to improve its knee implant product, to help patients avoid bacterial infection.

Arthologics, Inc., which developed the Logic 1.0 Total Knee Arthroplasty for persons suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, will improve this biomedical implant with the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

"There is a specific material being used for this knee implant, the 316L stainless steel. Because of this, one cannot use antibacterial products available in the market as these could react to their bodies, or would require to be reapplied," said Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) program manager Jose Gepanaga in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

Nanotexturing would enable the manufacturer to make knee implants with a surface that has antimicrobial properties. "This would lessen the chance for the patient to undergo another operation due to infection. The project aims to make the knee implant safer," he said.

Gepanaga noted that normally, patients who suffer from infection undergo another operation so the implant can be cleansed, while others are given intravenous antibiotics.

The PCHRD reviewed Arthologics' proposal, and would monitor if the project would be successful. Close to PHP5 million in funding was provided through the DOST's Collaborative R&D to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) program.

The project runs from January 1 to December 31, 2022.

So far, the firm is conducting preliminary testing of the material. Gepanaga said the firm has already purchased the equipment it needs.

Once the project is finished, it will be for the exclusive use of Arthologics, to launch the Logic 2.0 total knee replacement. (PNA)

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