Project Team
Students
Robert Yasalonis
Mechanical Engineering
Penn State Harrisburg
Faculty Mentors
Clifford Lissenden
Penn State University Park
Engineering Science & Mechanics
Project
https://sites.psu.edu/mcreu/files/formidable/2/FINAL_Yasalonis_POSTER.pdf
Project Video
Project Abstract
Bone defects, high-impact trauma, and other orthopedic problems often require a bone graft. The gold standard for these orthopedic procedures is the use of donor bone but due to limited availability or other factors, the use of preformed hydroxyapatite (HAp) block is the standard treatment. However, the treatment of these difficult orthopedic injuries with injectable bone substitute (IBS) made from calcium phosphate cement (CPC) can lead to better outcomes than the more invasive traditional surgical methods. In this study, the creation of a calcium phosphate-calcium sulfate IBS with citric acid and polysaccharide additives was proposed. Previously established IBS mixtures would be initially verified to establish the control condition, then five other groups were to be created with varying weight percentages of polycaprolactone (PLC). These groups would be incubated in similar conditions to in vivo and their mechanical properties tested at different incubation periods. PLC could act synergistically with the other fixed amounts of additives and affect the mechanical properties of the IBS. Understanding the effect of citric acid and polysaccharides can allow for the utilization of IBS in more and more clinical applications. While citric acid is expected to lengthen the set time and increase IBS mechanical strength, polysaccharides are expected to shorten the set time by a smaller amount and increase fracture toughness. It is also expected that citric acid and the polysaccharides will all increase IBS compressive strength. The next steps for this project would include testing the novel IBS in simulated biological fluids, in vivo animal testing, and eventual FDA clinical testing. Having a less expensive, minimally invasive treatment for difficult orthopedic injuries involving bone graphs or HAp block placement could decrease post-operative pain, reduce opioid consumption, improve quality of life, and even decrease healthcare costs. Unfortunately, due to long delays in receiving materials in the era of the covid-19 pandemic, the IBS was unable to be created in time for proper experimentation. This paper will cover the proposed methodology, expected results, and next steps explored within the context of the literature.
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