- Email: [email protected]
Biomaterials Workshop
University
of Birmingham,
24 September
1990
There is active interest in the development and application of biomatetials in a number of Departments of the University of Birmingham, Medical School, University of Aston in Birmingham and many local hospitals and industrial organisations. The Biomaterials Workshop, a one-day local meeting of the Biomaterials Group of the Biological Engineering Society, provided an oppo~uni~ for introducing visitors to a crosssection of this work. The meeting undoubtedly proved just as valuable for the local participants, few of whom could have been aware of the full extent of biomaterials research in the area. The Meeting consisted of a programme of papers and posters, with extended opportunities for discussion during the lunch and tea intervals. The proceedings commenced with two excellent papers on wound dressing materials from the Birmingham Accident Hospital. Dr. J.C. Lawrence discussed the laboratory evaluation of the synthetic film and foam dressings which have recently become available, and showed that some of these could enhance significantly the rate of epithelialisation of experimental wounds. An ideal dressing would have good absorption, provide the right microclimate for the wound, be non-adherent, nontoxic and capable of accepting and releasing medicaments. As Mr. A.R. Groves’s subsequent paper showed, no existing dressing material could offer such a specification, or meet entirely the patient’s basic need for comfort, convenience and an acceptable appearance. Despite the progress which has been made, particularly in the treatment of burns, there is a continuing need not only for the development of new materials but also for a better unde~tanding of factors influencing wound bacteriology and the mechanisms underlying unwanted adhesion to, or penetration of, the dressing by the healing tissue. There followed two papers on implants. The first, by Mr. G.T. Watts of the Birmingham General Hospital, described the use of silicone fluid-filled silicone rubber envelopes for breast reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer of the breast In many cases such reconstruction could be performed at the time of operation, with considerable benefit to the postoperative state of mind of the patient Mr. R.A. Hurlow presented work in the Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the use of microporous expanded PTFE in vascular grafts. Thirty-five of these grafts had been implanted in the legs of patients with blocked arteries, Although the results compared favourably with other artificial materials it would remain preferable to use the patient’s own saphenous vein to bypass the diseased arteries whenever its size and condition made this possible. The first two papers after lunch were contributed
by the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Aston in Birmingham, and centred on the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Miss M.E. Broadbent outlined progress towards an implantable artificial endocrine pancreas containing a culture of islet cells within a hollow fibre device. Dr. D.G. Pedley examined the feasibility of using the oral route, rather than injection, for administedng insulin. His proposed solution to the problem of protecting the insulin from enzymatic attack was to disperse the drug in sub-micron-sized capsules made of a biodegradable polyester. The interest engendered by these projects was reflected in a lively discussion. The theme then switched to problems of corrosion of metallic implants, starting with a review of 30 years experience in this area by Mr. J.H. Hicks. This paper provided the historical context in which to examine recent developments in corrosion-resistant alloys. Dr. E. Smethurst of the Department of Mechanical Engineering described the advantages of ‘Ortron 90’ stainless steel, in which improved corrosion and fatigue resistance has been achieved by an increase in chromium and nitrogen content and the addition of a small amount of niobium. Professor G.W. Rowe spoke about the general problems of simulating wear in the laboratory and recommended an approach in which several different types of test would be considered together. Shifting the focus from the development and evaluation of materials to their application in orthopaedic surgery, Mr. R.L. Batten of the Birmingham General Hospital described the advantages of a plate for internal fixation whose intrinsic design made it possible to apply compression to the fracture. The elegance of the approach was further illustrated by a series of case histories presented in a style which was both entertaining and informative. The last paper came from Mr. S.V. Hayes, Department of Mechanical Engineering, who presented an engineering analysis of the design of special femoral implants used for major replacement of bone. The range of poster exhibits may perhaps be judged from the University Departments represented there, which included the Departments of Oral Pathology, Surgery, Anatomy, Geriatric Medicine and Zoology and Comparative Physiology. The meeting appeared to achieve its objective of providing a forum for the presentation of work in progress, exchange of ideas and formation of new contacts. The encouraging level of support also suggested that there is scope for future meetings of this kind in the Birmingham area.
S. Salmons D.W. Jones
of Birmingham,
24 September
1990
There is active interest in the development and application of biomatetials in a number of Departments of the University of Birmingham, Medical School, University of Aston in Birmingham and many local hospitals and industrial organisations. The Biomaterials Workshop, a one-day local meeting of the Biomaterials Group of the Biological Engineering Society, provided an oppo~uni~ for introducing visitors to a crosssection of this work. The meeting undoubtedly proved just as valuable for the local participants, few of whom could have been aware of the full extent of biomaterials research in the area. The Meeting consisted of a programme of papers and posters, with extended opportunities for discussion during the lunch and tea intervals. The proceedings commenced with two excellent papers on wound dressing materials from the Birmingham Accident Hospital. Dr. J.C. Lawrence discussed the laboratory evaluation of the synthetic film and foam dressings which have recently become available, and showed that some of these could enhance significantly the rate of epithelialisation of experimental wounds. An ideal dressing would have good absorption, provide the right microclimate for the wound, be non-adherent, nontoxic and capable of accepting and releasing medicaments. As Mr. A.R. Groves’s subsequent paper showed, no existing dressing material could offer such a specification, or meet entirely the patient’s basic need for comfort, convenience and an acceptable appearance. Despite the progress which has been made, particularly in the treatment of burns, there is a continuing need not only for the development of new materials but also for a better unde~tanding of factors influencing wound bacteriology and the mechanisms underlying unwanted adhesion to, or penetration of, the dressing by the healing tissue. There followed two papers on implants. The first, by Mr. G.T. Watts of the Birmingham General Hospital, described the use of silicone fluid-filled silicone rubber envelopes for breast reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer of the breast In many cases such reconstruction could be performed at the time of operation, with considerable benefit to the postoperative state of mind of the patient Mr. R.A. Hurlow presented work in the Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the use of microporous expanded PTFE in vascular grafts. Thirty-five of these grafts had been implanted in the legs of patients with blocked arteries, Although the results compared favourably with other artificial materials it would remain preferable to use the patient’s own saphenous vein to bypass the diseased arteries whenever its size and condition made this possible. The first two papers after lunch were contributed
by the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Aston in Birmingham, and centred on the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Miss M.E. Broadbent outlined progress towards an implantable artificial endocrine pancreas containing a culture of islet cells within a hollow fibre device. Dr. D.G. Pedley examined the feasibility of using the oral route, rather than injection, for administedng insulin. His proposed solution to the problem of protecting the insulin from enzymatic attack was to disperse the drug in sub-micron-sized capsules made of a biodegradable polyester. The interest engendered by these projects was reflected in a lively discussion. The theme then switched to problems of corrosion of metallic implants, starting with a review of 30 years experience in this area by Mr. J.H. Hicks. This paper provided the historical context in which to examine recent developments in corrosion-resistant alloys. Dr. E. Smethurst of the Department of Mechanical Engineering described the advantages of ‘Ortron 90’ stainless steel, in which improved corrosion and fatigue resistance has been achieved by an increase in chromium and nitrogen content and the addition of a small amount of niobium. Professor G.W. Rowe spoke about the general problems of simulating wear in the laboratory and recommended an approach in which several different types of test would be considered together. Shifting the focus from the development and evaluation of materials to their application in orthopaedic surgery, Mr. R.L. Batten of the Birmingham General Hospital described the advantages of a plate for internal fixation whose intrinsic design made it possible to apply compression to the fracture. The elegance of the approach was further illustrated by a series of case histories presented in a style which was both entertaining and informative. The last paper came from Mr. S.V. Hayes, Department of Mechanical Engineering, who presented an engineering analysis of the design of special femoral implants used for major replacement of bone. The range of poster exhibits may perhaps be judged from the University Departments represented there, which included the Departments of Oral Pathology, Surgery, Anatomy, Geriatric Medicine and Zoology and Comparative Physiology. The meeting appeared to achieve its objective of providing a forum for the presentation of work in progress, exchange of ideas and formation of new contacts. The encouraging level of support also suggested that there is scope for future meetings of this kind in the Birmingham area.
S. Salmons D.W. Jones