Taiwanese Scientists uses Silicates for Bone Regeneration

Biomaterials scientists in Taiwan have developed a quick-setting cement that could help broken bones to regenerate. This could probably replace calcium phosphates that were developed over 20 years ago as alternatives to polymer-based cements for mending damaged bones.

A biocompatible layer of bone-like apatite nodules forms on the cement's surface when it is immersed in a physiological solution

By using silicate rather than phosphate, a team led by Shinn-Jyh Ding at Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, has developed a quick-setting cement with promising biological properties. Earlier calcium silicate formulations had setting times of over an hour, which is too long for clinical applications, says Ding, but the new cement sets in just five minutes. This could make it a good candidate for bone replacements, he adds, because a biocompatible layer of bone-like apatite nodules forms on the cement’s surface when it is immersed in a physiological solution. Ding also mentions that in-vitro tests conducted suggest that the cement should encourage the growth of osteoblasts, the cells that are responsible for generating bone tissue, opening up the possibility of its use as an implant material.

Future research by the group, says Ding, will focus on improving the injectability and durability of the cement, which he suggests might be achieved by adding natural materials such as gelatin and chitosan.

Jake Barralet, a specialist in bioceramics at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, says that materials that stimulate tissue repair are the ‘next big thing’ in regenerative medicine. ‘It is not yet clear precisely what material parameters cause cell differentiation and tissue regeneration in bone, but this work broadens our knowledge in this growing field, and I look forward to reading further studies by this group,’ he says.

Honda unveils Experimental Walking Assist Device complete with Bodyweight Support System

Honda’s Walking Assistive Device. Picture from Honda.

Honda, the Japanese company more synonymous with automobiles, has unveiled its second mobility assistive mechanism that comes with a system to support body weight, allowing load on the patient’s leg to be reduced while walking up and down stairs and in a semi-crouching position. According to the company, the device will undergo testing in real world scenarios to evaluate its worthiness.

Device shown being used to walk up the stairs. Picture from Honda.

From the pictures provided by Honda above, the new walking assist device incorporates a seat-looking part which helps to support patients through his/her center of gravity, ensuring stability and maximum support. The device also has an extended structure with a frame joining a slip-on shoe that users can simply put on. Another feature is the ability to control the assist force in concert with the movement of the legs. These 2 prominent features are trumped as unique Honda innovations that will make it possible for the device to provide natural and flexible support for various postures and motions.

Sensors imbedded in the shoes of the device will also provide the necessary information to control the force applied by motors that will assist both left and right legs in natural walking for users. A lithium ion battery pack will power the device and is expected to operate around 2 hours on a full charge. Interestingly, another Japanese company developed another assistive device which includes upper body movement that was featured in our blog last month.

Cyberdyne works with Daiwa House to Lease Assistive Robotic Suit

Japan is famous for not just its food, but also its cutting edge technology in robotics. Now a robotic suit designed to assist in mobility is being commercialized by a professor at the University of Tsukuba. Yoshiyuki Sankai, the designer of the robot suit is also the CEO of the university’s spin-off company, Cyberdyne, which will produce the robot suit, dubbed as HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb).

Cyberdyne's HAL. Picture from Cyberdyne's website.

The company will now team up with Daiwa House Industry Co. to lease these robotic suits which would function to assist the disabled in basic movements such as walking, sitting and standing. HAL works by detecting electric nerve signals from the surface of the skin that are emitted by the brain in the event of a person wanting to move his/her limbs. The controlled power unit will move the desired joint in sync with the wearer’s muscle movement, supporting the wearer’s daily activities. Furthermore, HAL is equipped with a ‘robotic autonomous control system’ that provides human-like movement based on a robotic system which integrally work together with the ‘autonomous control system’. Such a unique hybrid system is expected to be the first of its kind to be featured on a cyborg-type robotic system.

According to press release, Cyberdyne and Daiwa House will lease the suit to care facilities for the elderly on a five-year-contract basis at a cost of 150,000-200,000 yen (US$ 1,460 – 1,960) a month, including maintenance fees. In total, both companies plan to hire out some 500 units annually. Currently, Cyberdyne makes a one-legged and two-legged models of the suit which only helps people with lower body disabilities in walking. However the company expects to to commercialize a full-body model in April 2009 at the earliest that will enable the wearer to lift heavy objects or even people.