Researchers at Duke University have developed an adenosine-sequestering bone bandage able to naturally trap adenosine at the site of a break, accelerating recovery and improving bone repair.
The research team observed an increase in adenosine levels in patients with bone injuries, however, the amount available to the break site may be limited depending on the location of the break, resulting in slow healing and incomplete bone repair.
The bandage collects naturally produced adenosine at the site of the break and slowly releases the adenosine over time. The bandages can be pre-loaded with adenosine or can trap the patient’s own naturally produced adenosine.
A study performed on mice with tibia fractures found that those using the bandages showed better bone formation, higher bone volume, and better vascularization than the mice without the bone bandages.
Shyni Varghese, professor of biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, and orthopedics at Duke, believes that the bandages could be effective in treating and preventing bone fractures in the elderly or patients recovering from reconstructive joint surgery. Engineering a more permanent bandage could prove extremely useful to osteoporotic patients that suffer from repeated injuries.
“To avoid unwanted side effects, we had to find a way to keep the adenosine localized to the damaged tissue and at appropriate levels. We’ve demonstrated that this is a viable approach and filed a patent for future devices and treatments, but we still have a long way to go. The bandages could be engineered to capture and hold on to adenosine more efficiently. And of course we also have to find out whether these results hold in humans or could cause any side effects. ”
-Shyni Varghese
Orthobiologics Market
The elderly demographic in the U.S. continues to be the largest driver for the orthopedic biomaterials market as orthopedic complications are more likely to occur in older people. The median age in the country rises as U.S. citizens live longer, causing increased demand for orthopedic treatments. In 2018, the U.S. orthopedic biomaterials market was valued at $3.4 billion. This is expected to increase at a CAGR of 6.4% by 2025, reaching just over $5 billion.
To get in an in-depth global market analysis including interviews, procedural volumes, and forecasts until 2025, refer to iData Research’s study titled: Orthobiologics Market Analysis, Size, Trends | Global | 2019-2025 | MedSuite
