| Name: | Jonquil R. Flowers |
| Title: | Graduate Student |
Norch Carolina A&T State University - Bioengineering - M.S.
405 Center for Bioengineering
300 Technology Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-648-1943
Fax: 412-648-2001
jrf71@pitt.edu
- Functional tissue engineering and regeneration of ligaments and tendons
- Development of biodegradable magnesium devices for soft tissue fixation
In many orthopaedic surgical procedures, suture anchors have been successfully used for soft tissue fixation to bone and examples include rotator cuff repair, shoulder reconstructions for insability, the repair of biceps anchor lesions (i.e. SLAP lesions), and femur acetabular impingement (FAI) in the hip. Currently, there are two classes of materials used for suture anchors, metals such as titanium and bioabsorbable polymers such as polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA). There are advantages and disadvantages for each of these biomaterials and several complications have been reported. Research efforts aim to develop a magnesium (Mg)-based suture anchor, which has the potential to be the "best of both worlds" and reduce the current complications.
Development of a Mg-based suture anchor for soft tissue fixation to bone in orthopaedic surgeries
In many orthopedic surgical procedures, suture anchors have been successfully used for soft tissue fixation to bone and examples include rotator cuff repair, shoulder reconstructions for instability, the repair of biceps anchor lesions (i.e. SLAP lesions), bicep tenodesis, and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in the hip.
Currently, there are two classes of materials used for suture anchors, metals such as titanium and bioabsorbable polymers such as polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PLA). There are advantages and disadvantages for each of these biomaterials and several complications have been reported. Metallic anchor migration and loosening have been described as well as difficulty with revision surgery and interference with postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Complications with bioabsorbable suture anchors include osteolysis and breakage during insertion and as a result of cyclic loading. Thus, research efforts aim to develop a magnesium (Mg)-based suture anchor, which has the potential to be the "best of both worlds" and reduce these complications. We have selected Mg-based alloys because they are biodegradable, have high good mechanical properties and can promote bone remodeling.
With the use of a new material, we optimized the design of the Mg-based suture to meet performance expectations using finite element analysis. Using the novel design for the Mg-based suture anchor, we conducted preliminary pullout studies. When compared to polymer suture anchors, the stiffness of the Mg-based suture anchors was 80% higher and the ultimate load was 100% high. With these promising results, we will further investigate the performance of the Mg-based suture anchor through in vitro and in vivo testing.
Hobbies: STEM Outreach and Volunteering
Home Country: Atlanta, Georgia, USA