A Novel Interpositional Implant for Growth Plate Injury

University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed an injectable hydrogel device designed to treat growth plate injuries, a significant pediatric orthopedic problem. Growth plate injuries often lead to growth disturbances due to bony tethers bridging the epiphysis and metaphysis. This innovative hydrogel implant minimizes the impact on natural growth by reducing the size of these tethers, offering a less invasive and more effective treatment option compared to current surgical procedures.

Description

Growth plate injuries are common in pediatric orthopedics, affecting 15% of long bone fractures in children, with a high prevalence in 10 to 15-year-olds. Traditional treatments, such as distraction osteogenesis and epiphysiodesis, are invasive and often lead to complications. The newly developed hydrogel implant by University of Pittsburgh researchers addresses these issues by providing a minimally invasive solution that reduces bone volume and increases fat content within the damaged growth plate. This device has been tested in a large animal model, showing promising results in minimizing the impact of growth plate injuries.

Applications

• Treatment of growth plate fractures
• Post-tether resection treatment
• Pediatric orthopedic surgery

Advantages

The hydrogel implant offers several advantages over traditional treatments. It is minimally invasive, reducing the need for extensive surgical procedures. The device effectively reduces bone volume and increases fat content within the damaged growth plate, potentially minimizing growth disturbances and physical impairments. Additionally, it has been tested in a large animal model with positive results, demonstrating its potential for clinical application.

Invention Readiness

The hydrogel device has undergone extensive testing in a large animal model of growth plate injury. Researchers created 4.5 mm diameter by 15 mm deep defects in the growth plates of juvenile goats and implanted the device. The results showed a reduction in bone volume and an increase in fat content within the damaged growth plate. Further development is ongoing to test the incorporation of anti-osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-mitotic factors to enhance the device’s efficacy and ensure its readiness for clinical use.

IP Status

https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2022061232A1