Flinders. Australia: Researchers
at Flinders University’s Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) will
design a new medical device that could change the way spinal surgeries
are delivered. The MDPP researchers will design and prototype
a surgical instrument which will enable bone graft delivery during
minimally invasive spinal fusion procedures.
Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Kyam
Maher said the concept – proposed by two South Australian clinicians –
would receive $30,000 in research and development assistance from the
State Government through the Manufacturing Works Medical Technologies Program.
“According to the National Hospital Morbidity
Database, back problems contributed to more than 100,000
hospitalisations in Australia during 2011 and 2012,” said Mr Maher.
“While spinal fusion surgery is often the last resort to treat back problems, it can cost around $46,700 per patient.”
MDPP Director, Flinders University’s Professor
Karen Reynolds, said several studies published in 2012 by the National
Centre for Biotechnology Information showed that patient benefits of
minimally invasive surgeries over open surgeries include significantly
less blood loss, less scars, shorter hospital stays, lower complication
rates and a lower number of residual events.
“This project aims to provide a solution to
achieve the same level of bone graft placement during minimally invasive
spinal fusion surgery as achieved during open surgery, but with
additional benefits,” said Professor Reynolds.
“The proposed product will aim to be
compatible with existing fixation systems to enable bone surface
preparation and graft deposit without the need to make an additional
incision to the patient or remove healthy discs.
Minister Maher said this was one example of
how the MDPP could work with clinicians to develop a practical solution
that will ultimately benefit patients and reduce the costs incurred with
longer hospital stays.
“Often the best ideas for new medical devices
come from clinicians, given they are the people who use or administer
the technologies,” he said.
“However, they don’t necessarily have the
expertise or capabilities to actually develop the products, which is
where the MDPP can step in.”
The MDPP prototype will allow the inventors to demonstrate the bone graft concept to future investors.
As well as providing a design and prototype,
the MDPP will deliver a market intelligence report that can be utilised
by the inventors to craft a business case and commercialisation strategy
at a later stage.
For further information, visit: www.mdpp.org.au or contact Kelly Knight, MDPP, (08) 8201 5977 or kelly.knight@flinders.edu.au
- See more at:
http://blogs.flinders.edu.au/flinders-news/2015/03/06/spinal-procedure-no-longer-such-a-pain-in-the-back/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spinal-procedure-no-longer-such-a-pain-in-the-back#sthash.mwVMxB9Y.dpuf