Bovine bone replacement

Waste material from cattle processing could one day be responsible for shorter healing times and stronger bones for joint replacement and bone graft patients.

Research led by Dr Michael Mucalo, of the University of Waikato’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, has considered the use of biomedical materials for bone replacement.

A biomedical material is anything used to replace or repair body tissue and has contact with body fluids. Examples include pacemakers, artificial blood vessels, and wires and pins for bone repair.

Dr Mucalo’s research involves processing bovine bone through chemical washing and treatment in a high temperature kiln to produce a solid porous mass similar in internal architecture to that of human bone.

Called a xenograft, the bone matrix can be shaped and inserted into the patient to be used as a scaffold for repairing and rebuilding bone.

Animal trials have been conclusively positive.

A commercial spin-off, Graftoss, has been formed to commercialise the technology and further develop the products.

Graftoss’ bone matrix technology offers several advantages. It uses a waste product to create a high value medical device which is biocompatible, conducive to bone regeneration, and guaranteed free of pathogen and disease as a result of its New Zealand sourcing and treatment.

External funding gratefully acknowledged: AgResearch MIRINZ, DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austrach Dienst), Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust, Waikato Medical Research Foundation, and other sources.

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING