European database of explanted UHMWPE liners from total joint replacements: correlations among polymer modifications, structure, oxidation, mechanical properties and lifetime in vivo

This contribution lays the foundation for the European database of explanted UHMWPE liners from total joint replacements. Three EU countries (Czech Republic, Italy and Spain) have joined their datasets containing anonymized patient data (such as age and BMI), manufacturer data (such as information on UHMWPE crosslinking, thermal treatment and sterilization), orthopedic evaluation (such as total duration of the implant in vivo and reasons for its revision) and material characterization (such as oxidative degradation and micromechanical properties). The joined database contains more than 500 entries, exhibiting gradual growth, and it is beginning to show interesting trends, which are discussed in our contribution, including (i) strong correlations between UHMWPE oxidative degradation, degree of crystallinity and microhardness; (ii) statistically significant differences between UHMWPE liners with different types of sterilization; (iii) realistic correlations between the extent of oxidative degradation and the observed reasons for total joint replacement failures. Our final objective and task for the future is to continuously expand the database, involving researchers from other European countries, in order to create a robust tool that will contribute to the better understanding of structure–properties–performance relationships in the field of arthroplasty implants

Результати клінічного використання тотального ендопротеза колінного суглоба нового покоління з обертальним вкладишем компанії «BEZNOSKA s.r.o.»

The article contains results of surgical treatment of 76 knee joints with help of SVL/RP endoprostheses manufactured by «BEZNOSKA s.r.o.» Company. In compliance with a Visual Analogue Scale, a pain syndrome decrease was revealed from 6.7 points before the operation to 1.5 points after the prosthesic replacement. An integrated assessment by KSS scale demonstrated improvement in the operated joint functioning. Implants of «BEZNOSKA s.r.o.» Company are objects of choice for surgeons during total knee arthroplasty.Представлены результаты хирургического лечения 76 коленных суставов с применением эндопротезов SVL/RP компании «Beznoska s.r.o». Согласно оценки по шкале ВАШ отмечено уменьшение болевого синдрома с 6,7 баллов до операции и до 1,5 баллов после эндопротезирования. Комплексная объективная оценка по шкале KSS показала улучшение функции прооперированных суставов. Имплантаты компании «Beznoska s.r.o» являются предметом выбора хирурга при проведении тотального эндопротезирования коленного сустава.Представлено результати хірургічного лікування 76 колінних суглобів з використанням ендопротезів SVL/RP компанії «Beznoska s.r.o». Згідно з оцінкою за ВАШ відзначено зменшення больового синдрому з 6,7 балів до операції і до 1,5 бала після ендопротезування. Комплексна об’єктивна оцінка за шкалою KSS показала поліпшення функції прооперованих суглобів. Імплантати компанії «Beznoska s.r.o». є предметом вибору хірурга під час проведення тотального ендопротезування колінного суглоба

Biodegradable Thermoplastic Starch/Polycaprolactone Blends with Co-Continuous Morphology Suitable for Local Release of Antibiotics

We report a reproducible preparation and characterization of highly homogeneous thermoplastic starch/pol(epsilon-caprolactone) blends (TPS/PCL) with a minimal thermomechanical degradation and co-continuous morphology. These materials would be suitable for biomedical applications, specifically for the local release of antibiotics (ATB) from the TPS phase. The TPS/PCL blends were prepared in the whole concentration range. In agreement with theoretical predictions based on component viscosities, the co-continuous morphology was found for TPS/PCL blends with a composition of 70/30 wt.%. The minimal thermomechanical degradation of the blends was achieved by an optimization of the processing conditions and by keeping processing temperatures as low as possible, because higher temperatures might damage ATB in the final application. The blends' homogeneity was verified by scanning electron microscopy. The co-continuous morphology was confirmed by submicron-computed tomography. The mechanical performance of the blends was characterized in both microscale (by an instrumented microindentation hardness testing; MHI) and macroscale (by dynamic thermomechanical analysis; DMTA). The elastic moduli of TPS increased ca four times in the TPS/PCL (70/30) blend. The correlations between elastic moduli measured by MHI and DMTA were very strong, which implied that, in the future studies, it would be possible to use just micromechanical testing that does not require large specimens

European Database of Explanted UHMWPE Liners from Total Joint Replacements: Correlations among Polymer Modifications, Structure, Oxidation, Mechanical Properties and Lifetime In Vivo

This contribution lays the foundation for the European database of explanted UHMWPE liners from total joint replacements. Three EU countries (Czech Republic, Italy and Spain) have joined their datasets containing anonymized patient data (such as age and BMI), manufacturer data (such as information on UHMWPE crosslinking, thermal treatment and sterilization), orthopedic evaluation (such as total duration of the implant in vivo and reasons for its revision) and material characterization (such as oxidative degradation and micromechanical properties). The joined database contains more than 500 entries, exhibiting gradual growth, and it is beginning to show interesting trends, which are discussed in our contribution, including (i) strong correlations between UHMWPE oxidative degradation, degree of crystallinity and microhardness; (ii) statistically significant differences between UHMWPE liners with different types of sterilization; (iii) realistic correlations between the extent of oxidative degradation and the observed reasons for total joint replacement failures. Our final objective and task for the future is to continuously expand the database, involving researchers from other European countries, in order to create a robust tool that will contribute to the better understanding of structure–properties–performance relationships in the field of arthroplasty implants