MeshWorks - an innovative bimodal trabecular mesh and new titanium alloy for spinal implants

Orthopaedic degeneration is a normal part of aging, anticipated to affect ~80% of the world's population. The Office for National Statisticsestimates the UK's proportion of over 65s will rise to 20.7% by 2027, so the financial and societal impacts can only increase.

In the past decade approximately two million people in the UK had a metallic device implanted to replace a bone or joint in their body, with surgeries increasing at 7%/year. The most common surgical intervention is hip or knee replacement followed by spinal fusion implants, then implants to other joints. Around 250,000 procedures are conducted in the UK each year. However, around 50% will have non-ideal results, with 40% of patients still unable to return to work up to 4 years after surgery. Up to 20% will require a revision, with 75% of these due to the implant failing.

OxMet has designed a new alloy for use in medical implants that eliminates current problems such as:

* High stiffness: stiff implants which 'stress shield' surrounding bone, causing bone cells to weaken and die, loosening the implant.
* Cytotoxicity: Ti64, one of the most common implant materials, contains cytotoxic vanadium and aluminium.
* Compatibility with Additive Manufacture: Current implant materials are not designed for use with additive manufacturing, resulting in defects and fracturing.

OxMet and Betatype have designed a new mesh that more closely matches the structure of cancellous bone. Closer matching improves implant osseointegration, both in terms of speed and strength, reducing failure rates. The design takes advantage of Betatypes' bespoke proprietary algorithms that are both quicker and improve control.

OxMet and Betatype will work with the University of Birmingham to provide proof-of-concept evidence for the improved effectiveness of the combined alloy and mesh.