With the progressive aging of the population and the rising number of individuals with degenerative diseases, there has been an increasing indication for joint replacement arthroplasties as a treatment for osteoarthritis in major joints. Knee, hip, and shoulder prostheses have become effective treatment options for joint degeneration, aiming to restore motor function, improve mobility, and relieve pain. In this context, infection remains a major concern, as it can lead to implant removal and the need to replace it with a temporary implant (articular spacer) combined with local antibiotic delivery and systemic antimicrobial therapy-both essential for the complete resolution of the infectious condition.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that can be used in 3D printing technologies to develop customized implants and temporary spacers for the treatment of periprosthetic and bone infections, in addition to its potential application in bone reconstruction. The development of such products through reverse engineering, combined with advanced imaging techniques and specialized computational systems, enables the creation of patient-specific implant models, thus optimizing the recovery process.
Therefore, this research project proposes the development and application of a polymer with suitable antimicrobial activity, based on reverse engineering and 3D printing technologies, for the design of orthopedic prostheses and implants. This study aims to address treatment needs in Brazil, where the cost of bone substitutes and articular spacers remains high, especially in orthopedic reconstruction, and where public healthcare systems face challenges in providing adequate and affordable solutions.
In this sense, the development of customized, biocompatible, low-cost, and antimicrobial implants may have a significant impact on both patient outcomes and the public health system. This technology is innovative, as it will bring a novel category of medical product to the national market with potential for global reach, thereby representing a substantial advancement in the healthcare field.
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Single group
PLA spacer
Combination productThis is a phase 1/2 prospective, interventional, non-randomized, single-arm clinical study designed to evaluate the safety of using temporary articular spacers printed in PLA (polylactic acid) impregnated with vancomycin in patients with periprosthetic infections of the hip, knee, or shoulder.
Control of periprosthetic infection
Measured Variable: Rate of complications or adverse events, including implant misfit, residual infection, implant rejection, and other adverse outcomes such as wound dehiscence or seroma. Definition: Implant misfit will be defined as the inability of the spacer to properly adapt to the prosthetic defect site, as assessed intraoperatively by the orthopedic surgeon. Residual infection will be characterized by the persistence of clinical signs of infection following spacer implantation (e.g., fistulas, purulent discharge). Analysis Metric: Proportion of patients who experienced any adverse event (e.g., number of patients with residual infection, implant misfit, or other complications). Aggregation Method: Proportion of patients presenting at least one adverse event (e.g., proportion of patients with implant misfit or residual infection). Time Point for Analysis: Assessment following spacer implantation, with follow-up extending up to 6 months post-implantation.
Surgical complications
Measured Variable: Rate of periprosthetic infection control, defined as the absence of infection signs following spacer implantation. Definition: Infection control will be considered achieved when no clinical signs of infection are present (e.g., fever, persistent pain, purulent discharge) by the final evaluation point. Analysis Metric: Proportion of patients with complete infection control within 6 months after spacer implantation. Aggregation Method: Proportion of patients with successful infection eradication. Time Point for Analysis: Monthly follow-up visits for 6 months post-surgery. Evaluator: Clinical evaluation will be performed by the orthopedic surgeon during outpatient visits, supported by laboratory tests (when necessary) to confirm infection eradication.
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Hospital Universitario Evangelico de Curitiba
Lead sponsor
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná
Collaborator
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