Description
The aim of the project is to develop and validate an innovative birch wood material for bone fixation, offering a sustainable and biocompatible solution in situations where traditional metal implants are not suitable. Despite the fact that stainless steel and titanium remain the gold standard in osteosynthesis, these materials are not suitable for all patients. Approximately 2-5 % patients experience allergic reactions, chronic inflammation or metal intolerance, which may require re-operations or alternative treatment options. OsteoWood is not intended as a general replacement for metal implants, but as a complementary implant material for specific allergy-sensitive indications. The project builds on recent advances in wood chemistry and materials science, using alkaline treatment, impregnation of wood with oligo-chitosan and densification to improve mechanical strength, dimensional stability and biocompatibility. The material will be developed to TRL3 level by microscopic structural analysis, mechanical tests and in vitro cell compatibility assays. A functional initial prototype will be fabricated for biomechanical evaluation. An intellectual property strategy and a development roadmap, built in collaboration with stakeholders, will provide the basis for the next stages of development. The project is in line with the Latvian Smart Specialisation Strategy areas “Smart Materials” and “Circular Bioeconomy”, developing a high added value solution from local renewable resources.
Objectives to be achieved
The main objective of the project is to develop a new wood modification approach to produce irreversibly densified and dimensionally stable, partially delignified birch (Betula pendula) wood materials for osteosynthesis implants.
Benefits for society
This is a niche biomaterial solution that has not been developed in the world so far. During the project, we will achieve TRL3 by demonstrating that birch wood can be transformed into a biocompatible, mechanically compliant implant material. This will pave the way for Latvia to specialise in a unique technology with future export potential, based on sustainable forestry and medical innovation.
At the same time, patients will potentially be able to obtain alternative non-metallic implant materials.
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