Electrospinning Builds Better Surfaces on Implants

Electrospinning uses an electrical charge to turn polymers into extremely thin fibres that are “spun” to form a mat. The Micro-Nano Technology Centre (MNTC) (formerly the Central Microstructure Facility) of the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council has developed systems to increase the production rate of electrospun nanofibres; low rates have prevented this technology from being adopted by industry.

MNTC utilises a vastly superior electrospinning source to create the bespoke fibrous materials. The technique was developed in collaboration with the Electrospinning Company Ltd (ECL) and Anglia Ruskin University. Its developers believe it could revolutionise the reliability and durability of surgical implants such as hip and knee replacements. They have received a 2008 Medical Futures Innovation Award in recognition of the medical and commercial potential of the technique.

Mansel Williams, Chief Executive of ECL, said, “Ten percent of patients receiving surgical implants go on to develop infection and loosening of their implants, costing the UK at least £14 million every year, £224 million globally. We want to eliminate this by creating the ideal implant surface matched to the individual patient, benefitting both the patient and the economy. This award will now allow us to scale up the testing and commercialisation of these implants”

Electrospinning is able to produce nanofibres of different materials. Almost any soluble polymer with sufficiently high molecular weight can be electrospun. Nanofibres made of natural polymers, polymer blends, nanoparticle or drug impregnated polymers have reportedly been successfully demonstrated. Electrospinning equipment and expertise are available for research into conventional nanofibre-related applications.

In addition, ECL is developing microelectromechanical systems based electrospinning nozzle arrays and scale up systems. These innovations are designed to extend current electrospinning capabilities so that novel nanofibre platforms can be reproducibly made in volume, thereby improving current nanofibre solutions and creating new application opportunities.