Implants for the Future
The world health organization (WHO) has stated that by 2050 the largest population of the world will comprise people above the age of 50. This tells us the gravity and vastness of the age related issues that will be encountered in the near future. The commonest of these age related problems are joint and bone disorders which call for surgeries like knee replacement and hip replacement to promise a better quality life to the elderly. However, the difficult part is recovery from these major surgeries with quick bone healing.
A group of scientists from the University of Malaya and four other universities in the US have found a technique of developing better biomedical implants to accelerate bone healing. An implant is a medical device made of a biomedical material that is fitted into the body to act as a missing biological structure. A study published on the front cover of the July issue of Applied Surface Science, reveals that the researchers have been successful in making new biomedical implants. These use magnesium coatings that do not crack, reducing the chance of post surgery complications.
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New Method Increases Bone Density
Researchers from the University of Liverpool have found a new system which helps increase muscle contractions and eventually increases bone density.
This new method is extremely helpful in initial rat models and experiments. The results showed a 30% hike in bone growth, improving bone density. This new device is called a ‘miniature muscle pacemaker’ and is designed to produce contractions in the muscles. These miniature muscle pacemakers were designed by Professor Jonathan Jarvis of Liverpool John Moores University. In the rats, they were placed on the legs for a period of 28 days.
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