When repairing or reconstructing bone, surgeons often choose titanium or stainless steel support hardware. But the very same strength and stiffness that makes these metals attractive during healing also creates a tensile mismatch with the native bone, which weakens over time as a result. Steel and titanium implants shed debris over time, causing metallosis, a condition that often necessitates a second surgery. ResMag is a strong yet biodegradable magnesium-based alloy created as an alternative to traditional metals. Not only is magnesium non-toxic and easily cleared by the body, but its elasticity is comparable to bone, making it ideal for orthopedic implants.
Description
Pure magnesium has insufficient strength for load-bearing applications, and its rapid rate of degradation can leave gas pockets around the implant. To address these shortcomings, magnesium is combined with other metals to increase strength and elasticity as well as customizing the rate of degradation. When tested in vitro, ResMag fostered a significantly higher rate of cell viability compared to either pure magnesium or AZ31, a commercially available magnesium-aluminum alloy. In rats with fractured femurs, there was no accumulation of magnesium or other metals in the blood or organs, and no measurable adverse effects from the ResMag implant.
Applications
· Orthopedics (plates, screws, pins, wires, etc.)
· Craniofacial (e.g., temporomandibular joint) reconstruction
· Cardiovascular stents
· Nerve guides
Advantages
· Biocompatible
· Biodegradable
· Corrosion resistant
· Promotes cell attachment
· Negligible hydrogen off-gassing
· Strength and elasticity comparable to native bone
Invention Readiness
In vivo data
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230313346A1
