Title: Human bone regeneration from wood: a novel hierarchically organised nanomaterial

Authors: Ugo Finardi; Simone Sprio

Addresses: Dipartimento di Chimica and NIS-Centre of Excellence, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy; National Research Council of Italy, CERIS-CNR, via Real Collegio, 30, 10024, Moncalieri (TO), Italy. ' National Research Council of Italy, ISTEC-CNR, Via Granarolo, 64, 48018 Faenza (RA), Italy

Abstract: The case of a novel biomimetic material for bone regeneration is studied. The growing costs of bone-related diseases (mainly due to the ageing of world population) and the quest for better life conditions spur the research for novel materials able to mimic and regenerate human bone subsequent to traumas. Natural structures (such as wood) are considered the best starting material for this purpose. The case of a totally new material, produced via a complex chemical-physical procedure starting from rattan wood, is analysed in its implications both on the technical-scientific and on the managerial-commercial side. The novel material has been implemented in a patented invention protecting a novel device for bone substitution. A SWOT analysis completes the case study, together with conclusions on its features.

Keywords: biomimetic materials; bone regeneration; hydroxyapatite; rattan wood; patents; spin-offs; nanomaterials; human bone; nanotechnology; new materials; bone substitution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2012.050617

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2012 Vol.13 No.4, pp.171 - 183

Published online: 15 Nov 2014 *

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