A ceramic-based mixture developed by an IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Kanpur professor has come as a boon for those who suffer from bone ailments. According to the professor, the mixture can regenerate bones that can be hugely helpful in treating joint disorders.
Ashok Kumar, a professor in the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur, says that an artificial bone will function as a natural bone with the new technology, thus bringing a paradigm shift in the treatment of bone diseases.
"The bioactive molecules generated by the ceramic-based mixture will help in bone regrowth," said Prof Kumar during an interaction with the media.
"It would not be less than a revolution in medical science from India's point of view, and the technology is one of its development in the medical world," he said.
Even though the microporous gel has the ability to become as hard as a bone in 15 minutes of reaching the affected area, it does not affect oxygen supply and blood circulation in the body. Due to a regular supply of oxygen and blood in the affected area, tissue formation becomes easy, which helps the body's ability to heal normally.
Commenting on this unique development with the help of some other faculty members of IIT-Kanpur, Prof Kumar said generally doctors had no option but to amputate affected limb of a patient suffering from Bone TB, where the affected area has no scope for regrowth.
"In the new technology, the bioactive molecules generated by the ceramic-based mixture will help in bone regrowth. It will also be helpful in bones being shattered after an accident and in the case where doctors are left with no option but to amputate that limb. The new technology will also be helpful in not disturbing any other bone part of the body to do an implant," the professor said.
Generally, an implant is done by removing a piece of the thigh bone or bone from any other body part. In such situations, there are chances of infection or disease that make healing of a patient difficult. Since the ceramic-based mixture under the new technology generates bioactive molecules, there is no need to remove a healthy bone for an implant.
According to Prof Kumar, bone-regeneration technology is equally helpful in treating joint problems, as the body starts excreting nano-hydroxyapatite and calcium hemihydrate after bone formation. "It helps a patient get rid of joint problems," he said.
A licensing agreement has been signed between IIT Kanpur and Ortho Regenics to use the new technology to treat bone and joint disorders in patients.
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