Speaker Dr. Tobias Wolfram from KLS Martin gave a lecture on new implant systems on the Tuttlingen campus. CoHMed spokesperson Prof. Dr. Hadi Mozaffari (pictured below) welcomed the numerous guests from companies and universities, who discussed the future potential of materials research with great interest.
Innovative biomaterials in medical technology: specialist lecture on Tuttlingen campus of Furtwangen University
Innovative materials for medical implants were the focus of a specialist lecture at the Tuttlingen campus of Furtwangen University. The event was hosted by the CoHMed innovation and transfer partnership, which regularly organises events for companies and researchers in the field of medical technology.
CoHMed spokesperson Professor Dr. Hadi Mozaffari gave a warm welcome to the numerous guests from industry and science, “Our events are intended to create a platform where current developments in medical technology can be discussed together,” he said. “The exchange between research and industrial practice is particularly important when it comes to new materials.”
Dr. Tobias Wolfram, Head of Research at the medical technology company KLS Martin Group, was the guest speaker. In his presentation, he gave an overview of current developments in the field of biodegradable implants and the materials from which they can be manufactured.
Implants that degrade in the body after fulfilling their function are not an entirely new concept in medical research. The first systems have been developed and used for several decades. Nevertheless, many of these technologies are still used in specialised applications and are currently considered niche solutions within implant technology. Various material classes are suitable for bioresorbable implants, including polymers, metals, and ceramic materials. Magnesium-based implants also have mechanical properties that are relatively close to those of natural bone and can degrade in a controlled manner in the body.
Dr. Wolfram presented the current status of biodegradable and bioresorbable implant systems based on several collaborative projects. Examples from oral and maxillofacial surgery illustrated the special requirements of implant technology, such as reliable fixation or adaptation to complex anatomical structures.
KLS Martin is also researching new material concepts such as fibre-reinforced implant systems. Here, special fibre technologies are used to combine mechanical stability and biological function. “A key challenge is to optimally combine the material properties of an implant with biological processes such as cell growth and tissue healing,” explained Wolfram.
Wolfram sees great potential in research, particularly in material combinations and their connection with cell therapy approaches. Personalised implant systems are also becoming increasingly important. Individually customised implants can help make procedures more efficient and reduce operating times. In addition, targeted surface modifications could play an even greater role in the future, as they influence how cells interact with implant materials.
In the subsequent discussion, the audience also discussed the potential future field of so-called intelligent implants. Such systems could, for example, record biological processes in the body or specifically support therapeutic functions. In addition to technological developments, the speaker believes that regulatory issues will also become more important; according to Wolfram, the requirements for approval procedures for medical implants will continue to increase.
About CoHMed
Furtwangen University is one of only ten universities in Germany to receive funding under the “Strong Universities of Applied Sciences – Impulse for the Region” funding programme of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space. The aim of the CoHMed innovation and transfer partnership is to support medical technology companies in the region in developing sustainable products and to promote research and science.
