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H2020Individual fellowship2018–2021

COLLHEAR · 3D printed COLLagen type I-Hydroxyapatite prostheses for the middle EAR

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2018-07-17 → 2021-07-16
EU contribution
€244,269
Participants
2
Scheme
MSCA-IF-GF

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

3D printed COLLagen type I-Hydroxyapatite prostheses for the middle EAR

Conductive hearing loss, due to traumas or pathologies of the middle ear, affects more than 5% of the population worldwide and more than 15% of the elderly. COLLHEAR aims at giving a contribution by developing a new generation of biocompatible middle ear micro-prostheses through an interdisciplinary approach involving material science, engineering and tissue engineering. This bioengineering and clinical subject is strongly related to the current European Community priorities: indeed it is a fact that by living in a world basing upon communication, any hearing impairments can be considered a relevant obstacle in human relations that can lead to isolation and depression. The Overall Objective of this proposal is to provide new biocompatible bulk micro-prostheses through an optimisation of the current 3D printing technology for biomaterials. This main goal is a topical subject that is strongly related to the 2014-2020 priorities of the European Community. Specifically, it will represent a remarkable contribution to the promotion of the social inclusion improving the quality of life for people (Priority 9), through a strengthening of the research and innovation in this scientific field (Priority 1), helping deaf people to reinstate their position in a world dominated by communication. COLLHEAR was conceived to meet the following sub-objectives: -) O1: Multiscale modeling of the Collagen (COL)/Hydroxyapatite (HA) composite for acousto-mechanical purposes. The objective seeks to answer the questions related to the role of COL/HA in transmitting and dissipate transient loads. -) O2: Optimization of the 3D printing technology to manufacture the micro-prostheses. Within this goal, the Experienced Researcher (ER) wants to study an optimization of 3D printing equipment in order to efficiently fabricate micro-prostheses. -) O3: Acousto-mechanical characterization of the micro-prostheses. The fabricated micro-prostheses undergo mechano-acoustic tests to assess their mechanical properties in view of the clinical application. -) O4: Biological studies for cell adhesion and growth. The fabricated micro-prostheses are studied from a biological standpoint to assess the biocompatibility in view of the eventual implantation (not expected within the project).

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Conductive hearing loss is a pathology that affects about 15% of the worldwide population and more than 40% of the elderly. So far, passive implants, made of titanium and hydroxyapatite, are the preferred solution to restore the middle ear function. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of extrusion still occurs (up to 40% in the long term) due to reduced biocompatibility. The applicant (i.e. experienced researcher, ER) studied ear micro-prosthetics during his PhD and aims at developing a new generation of 3D printed bulk micro-prostheses for the middle ear made of collagen type 1 and hydroxyapatite, namely, the native components of the ear bones, to improve the quality of life the European citizens, who are highly prone to conductive deafness due to their longevity. To achieve this ambitious goal, thus maximising the acoustic behaviour of the composite material from its basic unit, the ER needs to learn multiscale design (i.e. from the atomic- to the macro-scale), which will be addressed during the outgoing phase at MIT. Therefore, a dedicated study will be carried out on 3D printing techniques in order to fabricate a set of new prototypes, which will be challenging due to the small size versus high performance of the ossicular prostheses. The ER will investigate and characterize the newly designed prostheses from a topological and acousto-mechanical standpoint at University of Antwerp (2-month secondment) and through a dedicated bioreactor, designed and manufactured on purpose at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Beneficiary) to be used for a biologic assessment at University of Pisa (4-month secondment). The multidisciplinary approach involving acoustics, materials science, engineering, biology and otology will enhance the development of innovative clinically oriented prototypes and will contribute to the ER’s scientific and personal growth in view of a future academic or industrial independent position, based on high specialized skills and international networking.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO S ANNA · PisaCoordinatorItaly
  • MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · CambridgeUnited States

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union