The Feasability of Manufacturing Titanium Alloy Intramedullary Nails Economically with Enhanced Design Freedom (I-NEED)

The objective of this 1yr feasibility project is to address a clinical need to heal bone fractures more effectively and at lower cost. The project will involve the application of additive manufacturing, sometimes referred to as 3D-printing. The design & manufacture of tall, thin, Ti-64 intramedullary nails for repairing bone fractures will be addressed to enable them to be mass produced. Moreover, it is intended that the parts will be designed to suit specific types of bone fractures so as to enhance recovery. This development will particularly benefit the different bone injury requirements of younger active patients and the growing demands from the older section of the population. The project consortium will be led by CRDM with UCL Institute of Orthopaedic Medicine as its partner. Collaboration with a global medical device company, Smith & Nephew, will ensure that the technology is exploited through their UK orthopaedics sales channel.