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A Customized Knee Antibiotic-Loaded PMMA Spacer: A Preliminary Design Analysis
Marco Balato1, Carlo Petrarca1, Antonio Quercia1
1Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, University of Naples "Federico II", 80125 Napoli, NA, Italy.
Polymers
|December 10, 2021
Summary
This study presents a customized antibiotic-loaded poly-methyl-methacrylate (ALPMMA) spacer designed for patient-specific anatomy. FEM analysis and experimental tests confirm its mechanical reliability and antibiotic elution for orthopedic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Device Design
Background:
- Customized orthopedic implants are crucial for patient-specific treatment.
- Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is widely used in orthopedic procedures.
- Antibiotic elution from implants can prevent post-operative infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the preliminary design of a customized antibiotic-loaded poly-methyl-methacrylate (ALPMMA) spacer.
- To validate the mechanical performance of the ALPMMA spacer under functional loads.
- To assess the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of antibiotic-doped PMMA cement.
Main Methods:
- Novel patented 3D geometrical conceptualization for customization.
- Finite Element Method (FEM) based analysis for mechanical validation.
- Experimental testing of mechanical and thermomechanical properties of antibiotic-doped PMMA cement.
Main Results:
- FEM analysis confirmed the proposed geometry's mechanical validity under walking and bent knee loads.
- Positive safety margins indicate stress magnitudes below critical material limits.
- Experimental data verified sustained antibiotic presence and acceptable thermomechanical properties within the body temperature range.
Conclusions:
- The preliminary design of the customized ALPMMA spacer demonstrates mechanical reliability for orthopedic applications.
- The material properties are suitable for the intended use, with sustained antibiotic elution.
- Future work includes 3D printing and destructive testing for commercialization.
