Researchers have developed an implantable 3D printed elastomer to treat rotator cuff injuries, offering hope for faster recovery and improved tendon regrowth. Rotator cuff injuries involve tears in the tendons connecting shoulder muscles to the humerus, often requiring surgery for severe cases. Traditional repairs frequently fail under stress, leading to recurring injuries.
The team from The Chinese University of Hong Kong created a biocompatible polythiourethane (PHT) elastomer. This flexible material can be 3D printed to fit the injury site exactly, using a room-temperature process with visible light. The elastomer mimics natural tendon properties, restoring full shoulder motion upon application and demonstrating durability through 10,000 stretches without failure.
The elastomer contains growth factor proteins that promote tendon cell growth into its scaffolding-like microstructure. Over time, the material degrades and is replaced by natural tendon tissue. Testing on rabbits showed successful tendon regrowth across a 1-cm gap within eight weeks.
“Our work has achieved the goal of developing an easily manufactured, mechanically robust, pro-regenerative tendon biomaterial that addresses mechanical and biological deficits in rotator cuff injuries while avoiding a complex and laborious production process,” said, Prof. Elmer Ker, lead scientist.
“We will continue to prove the significant potential of this newly developed material for the repair of large-to-massive rotator cuff injuries, as well as other soft tissue injuries, in a clinical setting.”
The study was published in the journal Bioactive Materials, which you can read in full at this link.
Source: newatlas.com