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H2020Doctoral network2019–2023

NU-SPINE · Training innovative future leaders in research and development of materials and implants for the spine

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-01-01 → 2023-09-30
EU contribution
€4,272,380
Participants
9
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.

Results in brief

Training innovative future leaders in research and development of materials and implants for the spine

The NU-SPINE network aimed to deliver a strong professional development programme, leading to scientists and engineers well trained in biomedical engineering, entrepreneurship and in cutting-edge spinal materials, implants and their evaluation methods. This was prompted by the growing elderly and more active population, which puts higher demands on implants, which need to last longer and withstand more severe loading conditions. In the spine, mechanical resistance as well as biocompatibility are especially important due to the vicinity of sensitive tissues such as the spinal cord and nerves. NU-SPINE aimed to deliver novel material compositions with a higher degree of biocompatibility as well as novel implant designs adapted to the local loading situation. Important deliverables were also innovative methods for more accurate evaluation of the demanding tribological and corrosive conditions surrounding the implants. Due to the multidisciplinarity of the projects, a network of higher education institutions and industrial partners with complementary skills were assembled to fulfil the project aims and objectives, under guidance from clinical advisors. The combination of the individual partners' expertise provided the ESRs with a multidisciplinary skill set and ensured successful delivery of the programme – indeed all deliverables were achieved. Acknowledging the importance of the whole value chain gave the ESRs an insight into the scientific requirements of novel medical devices, as well as a good starting point for preclinical testing at the end of the projects.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

This proposal aims to develop Early-Stage Researchers into innovative European leaders in biomedical engineering, with a focus on spinal devices. Synergies will be drawn from the involved high-quality research centres in the interdisciplinary fields of materials science, mechanical engineering and biology, which will permit acquiring expertise in the development and preclinical testing of such devices, with a focus on meeting current and future societal challenges related to implant longevity and biocompatibility. The training programme has been put together in close collaboration with the relevant industry, SME’s as well as larger enterprise, ensuring adequate exposure to these environments, through e.g. secondments, as well as a knowledge base permitting a seamless transfer into industry and fostering innovation. An expert in industrial engineering and management will undertake co-ordination of the innovation-related training as well as consist of an independent career coach to the young researchers.The growing elderly, more active population puts higher demands on implants, which need to last longer and provide an adequate biological response throughout their lifetime. Current solutions for the spine suffer from a variety of issues, such as implant subsidence as well as potentially detrimental metal ion release and wear products. The current proposal aims to provide alternatives to these, by developing novel materials and implants for the spine, which provide i) non-detrimental wear products and reduced metal ion release and/or ii) enhanced osseointegration. Since many implant failures can be linked to inadequate loading, considerable effort will be spent on developing methods that simulate more closely adverse and individual biomechanical environments, as well as adapting implant designs to these situations. Adequate biological response will be evaluated through in vitro and in vivo models, closing the circle of the pre-clinical testing value chain.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union