NEW HIP IMPLANT DESIGNED AT NUI GALWAY HAILED AS BREAKTHROUGH

Date Published: 05-Jan-2013

A new type of orthopaedic implant developed at NUI Galway, which could improve the lifespan of hip and knee replacements was hailed as a major bio-medical breakthrough on RTE’s "Late Late Show" last night.

OsteoAnchor aims to overcome a problem of implants coming loose over time by using a revolutionary surface of hundreds of tiny gripping claws. The implant is designed to not only grip bone securely, but also to encourage new hard bone tissue to grow into the implant.

A recent successful pre-clinical study of the hip replacement showed the technology immediately grips the bone effectively, leading to a quicker recovery after surgery.

In addition, the hip replacement remained very secure over time due The team is now moving towards clinical trials, with plans for a first-in-man trial in 2014.

With the combined US and European markets for hip and knee replacements estimated to be worth $8.7 billion, the team behind OsteoAnchor will initially target a particular segment – the revision hip market – which is estimated at $800 million.