Medical Design Briefs - February 2022 - 18

The limited bioactive properties
of traditional implants can in -
crease the length of the healing
process and the risk of rejection.
(Credit: Adobe Stock)
Bioactive Coatings Improve
Orthopedic Implants
Researchers are working on a
coating that mimics bone tissue.
The cutting-edge coating is
based on three bioactive materials.
Chitosan, found in shrimp
shells, has antimicrobial properties.
Collagen, the organic
component of bone, facilitates
cell migration and growth. And
copper-doped phosphate glass
stimulates blood vessel formation and bone reconstruction.
The team uses electrophoretic deposition to make the coating.
The implant acts as an electrode on which bioactive material
particles are deposited, forming a layer. The method does
not damage the structure and properties of bioactive materials.
And unlike other deposition processes currently used, it can be
used at standard ambient temperature and pressure on complex
shapes without expensive equipment.
The process is also versatile since the deposition can be easily
adapted to specific applications. For example, the technique can
be applied to hydrophilic and antimicrobial coatings, bone surface
reconstruction, or coatings that are biologically and chemically
inert. The product could be used to produce coronary or venous
stents, in bone transplants, or in medical environments to prevent
the transmission of bacteria, and thus biological infections.
For more information, visit www.medicaldesignbriefs.com/
roundup/0222/coatings.
Robotic Hand Has GeckoInspired
Grip
A close-up of the hand performing
a highly hyperextended
pinch on only the top surface
of an egg. (Credit:
Biomimetics and Dextrous
Manipulation Lab).
A new robotic hand is capable of
handling a wide variety of items, in -
cluding raw eggs, bunches of
grapes, plates, jugs of liquids, basketballs,
and even an angle grinder.
The device, called FarmHand,
benefits from two kinds of biological
inspiration. While the multi-jointed
fingers are reminiscent of a human
hand - albeit a four-fingered one -
the fingers are topped with geckoinspired
adhesives. This grippy but not sticky material is based on
the structure of gecko toes.
The gecko adhesive creates a strong hold via microscopic
flaps. When in full contact with a surface, these flaps create a
Van der Waals force - a weak intermolecular force that results
from subtle differences in the positions of electrons on the outsides
of molecules. As a result, the adhesives can grip strongly
but require little actual force to do so. Another bonus: they
don't feel sticky to the touch or leave a residue behind.
Below the adhesives, the finger pads are made of a collapsible
rib structure that buckles with little force. No matter the
location or angle of contact, the ribs consistently buckle so as
to ensure equal forces on the adhesive pads and prevent any
single one from slipping prematurely.
For more information, visit www.medicaldesignbriefs.com/
roundup/0222/robotic-hand.
18
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Medical Design Briefs, February 2022
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Medical Design Briefs - February 2022

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