New functionalized medical devices for surgical interventions in the pelvic cavity (MedIn)

The incidence of cancer of all kinds is growing all over the world, and thereby the number of surgical interventions in the field of oncological surgery records a continuous growth year after year. In some cases, the complete removal of one or more organic structures from the pelvis is required. These surgical interventions are associated with a high post-operative morbidity and mortality. The pelvic prosthesis prototype developed in the MedIn project was designed to increase the quality of life of people after surgical interventions. The prototype was made by 3D printing technology that was tailor-made for this purpose by the project consortium. Other complications which may occur include infections. In general, wound infection associated with this type of surgical interventions is reported to occur as often as in 40% of the cases. The project partners developed oxygenated nanocellulose gels that have great potential to inhibit growth of common wound bacteria. Trials were performed with the materials that will be used for the prosthesis and for the wound dressing. This was performed in close cooperation with the companies and the medical group that were participating in the project. This secured that the procedure we followed in the trials and the materials that we used comply with the requirements for developing medical devices. The prosthesis was tested in in vivo trials in Romania with good results. The antimicrobial properties of the wound dressing have also been tested with various relevant wound bacteria. The results are very promising. Two patent applications have been filed and two scientific publications are submitted for publication.

Virkninger Prosjektpartnerne i MedIn prosjektet har bygget opp ny kompetanse om 3D-trykking, polymerer og nanocellulose gjennom internasjonalt forskningssamarbeid. Industripartnerne har fått ny kunnskap om polymerer som kan brukes til 3D trykking av proteser og til sårbandasje. Dette har åpnet nye forretningsmuligheter og planer for kommersialisering har blitt utarbeidet. Effekter To medisinske utstyr (prototyper) har blitt utviklet i prosjektet, nemlig i) protese til bruk etter kirurgiske inngrep innen onkologisk kirurgi og ii) gel av nanocellulose til behandling av sår. Proteseprototypen som ble utviklet i MedIn-prosjektet vil kunne bidra til å bedre livskvaliteten til pasienter etter kirurgiske inngrep. Prototypen ble laget med 3D-trykketeknologi, skreddersydd til dette formålet av prosjektkonsortiet. Sårgel fra spesialbehandlet nanocellulose har vist stort potensial til å hemme vekst av vanlige sårbakterier. På sikt vil dette bidra til behandling av f.eks. kroniske sår.

The incidence of cancer of all kinds is growing all over the world, and thereby the number of surgical interventions in the field of oncological surgery records a continuous growth year after year. In some cases, the complete resection of one or more organic structures (rectum, uterus, ovaries, and bladder) from the pelvis is required. These surgical interventions, called pelvic exenteration or evisceration, are associated with a high post-operative morbidity and mortality. One of the complications is related to occlusions and fistulas, when the intestinal loops adhere to the perineal plain. The pelvic prosthesis developed in MedIn project will be designed to fill the empty excavation, support the intestinal loops and prevent any inflammatory phenomena caused by the adherence of perineal tissue. Other complications which may occur after pelvic exenterations refer to overall infectious, hemorrhagic complications, surgical infections. In general, wound infection associated with pelvic exenterations is reported to be as high as 40%. This remained and unmet need will be covered through the innovative oxygenated wound dressing that will be developed within the scope of this project.