Málaga Regional University Hospital has developed new technology to treat infections associated with knee prostheses. This advancement has been recognised as one of the top three patents in Spain by the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office.
The device focuses on applying controlled electric currents to infected prostheses. Its development aims to improve the safety of orthopedic implants by reducing complications arising from infections, which, although infrequent, can have serious consequences for patients.
Advances in research
When an infection occurs in a knee prosthesis, it is often necessary to perform further surgical interventions. These operations can incur significant human and economic costs, as well as potential serious complications for the patient's health.
The research team has created a device that acts on infected implants to eliminate adhered bacteria. This facilitates the destruction of bacterial membranes and enhances the effect of antibiotics, avoiding more aggressive interventions that would involve the removal of the prosthesis.
The patent for the device, titled ‘Device, system and method for activation for intraoperative disinfection of bone prostheses using bioelectric effect’, was developed by Iskandar Tamimi Mariño from the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Service, in collaboration with Jesús Manuel Gómez de Gabriel from the University of Málaga.
Future phases and international collaboration
The patent has been registered and a first prototype has been developed, which has shown positive results in laboratory studies. To continue its advancement, the project has received funding from the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga and authorities in nanomedicine.
In the upcoming stages, the device is planned to be evaluated in animal models and in human knee anatomical parts. This phase is crucial to verify its safety and efficacy before considering its practical use in patients.
The research is the result of collaboration between Málaga Regional University Hospital, the University of Málaga, and McGill University in Canada. This synergy aims to foster new clinical solutions.
José Antonio Ortega, the hospital's managing director, has highlighted the importance of research and innovation in their daily work, stating that the recognition obtained evidences the hospital's ability to generate knowledge to improve healthcare.
For his part, Iskandar Tamimi has expressed that the support from the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office is an important stimulus to advance in the next stages of the project.
The Awards from the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office recognise the most innovative inventions protected by patent in Spain, as well as those with the greatest potential for knowledge transfer.
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