University of Michigan’s engineering department and researchers from Jiangnan University has publicized the development of a Kevlar-based synthetic cartilage that has properties which are akin to actual cartilage.
According to the University of Michigan, natural cartilage has unparalleled strength and is about 80 percent water. Many patients would stand to benefit from a true replacement to natural cartilage, noted the University. Currently, there are approximately 850,000 US patients undergoing knee surgeries—either to add or remove cartilage—and repair their joints. Although other kinds of synthetic cartilage are currently undergoing clinical trials, the two prevalent candidates are limited to their ability to either contain enough water to transfer nutrients or not strong enough to handle normal stresses.
Study lead Nicholas Kotov, a Professor of Engineering at University of Michigan explained, “We know that we consist mostly of water—all life does—and yet our bodies have a lot of structural stability.” He explained, adding: “Understanding cartilage is understanding how life forms can combine properties that are sometimes unthinkable together."
University officials explained that the Kevlar-based hydrogel recreates cartilage properties by creating a tough nanofiber matrix from Kevalar’s core aramid fiber technology (popularly understood as the material used to make bulletproof vests) and a material commonly used in hydrogel cartilage replacements, known as polyvinyl alcohol or PVA. The University of Michigan noted that the network of biomolecules and proteins gets its strength from resisting the flow of water within its chambers, which lends structure under stress and pressure enabling it to deform without breaking. “Water is released in the process, and the network recovers by absorbing water later,” explained the statement.
Kevlar-based cartilage.
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