MATERIAL AND SYSTEM FOR THE THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF JOINTS

Abstract

A system for the therapeutic treatment of joints comprising a composite material comprising a biodegradable polymer matrix and a plurality of piezoelectric particles adapted to generate local electric charges in response to an external stimulation made by means of ultrasound, said plurality of piezoelectric particles being dispersed in the matrix. The composite material also comprises a plurality of stamina cells dispersed in the biodegradable polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon-based particles. The system also comprises a releasing device, arranged to deposit the composite material in a joint cavity at predetermined areas of the cartilage, and a stimulator device arranged to emit ultrasound at a predetermined frequency, a predetermined intensity and for a predetermined time of application, in such a way that, when the device is located near a joint wherein the composite material has been deposited, said ultrasound stimulate the plurality of piezoelectric particles.

Claims

1. A system for the therapeutic treatment of joints comprising: a composite material comprising: a biodegradable polymer matrix; a plurality of piezoelectric particles adapted to generate local electric charges in response to an external stimulation made by means of ultrasound, said plurality of piezoelectric particles being dispersed in said biodegradable polymer matrix; a plurality of stamina cells dispersed in said biodegradable polymer matrix; a releasing device arranged to deposit said composite material in a joint cavity at predetermined areas of the cartilage; a stimulator device arranged to emit ultrasound at a predetermined frequency, a predetermined intensity and for a predetermined time of application, in such a way that, when said device is located near a articulation wherein said composite material has been deposited, said ultrasound stimulate said plurality of piezoelectric particles; said system characterized in that in said biodegradable polymer matrix are also dispersed carbon-based particles.

2. The system for the therapeutic treatment of articulations, according to claim 1, wherein a wearable device is also provided comprising said stimulator device, said wearable device being configured for arranging said stimulator device near a joint.

3. The system for the therapeutic treatment of articulations, according to claim 1, wherein a monitoring apparatus is also comprised arranged for monitoring the regeneration status of the cartilaginous tissue.

4. The system for the therapeutic treatment of articulations, according to claim 3, where a control unit is also comprised configured for: collecting data that correlate values of parameters characterizing said ultrasound with speed and quality of the cartilaginous tissue regeneration; setting said characterizing parameters on ranges of values that guarantee greater speed and quality of the cartilaginous tissue regeneration.

5. The system for the therapeutic treatment of articulations, according to claim 4, wherein said characterizing parameters are selected from the group consisting of: frequency of said ultrasound; intensity of said ultrasound; time of applying said ultrasound; duty cycle of said ultrasound; a combining the previous.

6. A composite material arranged to the therapeutic treatment of joints, said composite material comprising: a biodegradable polymer matrix; a plurality of piezoelectric particles adapted to generate local electric charges in response to an external stimulation made by means of ultrasound, said plurality of piezoelectric particles being dispersed in said biodegradable polymer matrix; a plurality of stamina cells dispersed in said biodegradable polymer matrix; said composite material characterized in that in said biodegradable polymer matrix are also dispersed carbon-based particles.

7. The composite material, according to claim 6, wherein said biodegradable polymer matrix is a hydrogel.

8. The composite material, according to claim 6, wherein in said biodegradable polymer matrix are also dispersed chondrocytes.

9. The composite material, according to claim 6, wherein said biodegradable polymer matrix comprises biomolecules configured for inducing said stamina cells to evolve into chondrocytes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] Further characteristic and/or advantages of the present invention are more bright with the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0090] FIG. 1 shows schematically the composite material according to the present invention;

[0091] FIG. 2 shows the deposit of the composite material in the joint by the releasing device;

[0092] FIG. 3 shows the wearable device arranged on the leg of a patient and a stimulator device adapted to emit ultrasound;

[0093] FIG. 4 shows a possible flow-sheet of the operations made by the system according to the present invention;

[0094] FIG. 5 shows a variant of the flow-sheet of FIG. 4, wherein a step of monitoring is further provided.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0095] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the composite material 10, according to the present invention, comprising a biodegradable polymer matrix 11 in which a plurality of piezoelectric particles 12 and a plurality of stamina cells 13 are dispersed, in addition to a plurality of carbon-based particles.

[0096] In particular, the carbon-based particles allow to increase the mechanical resistance and to decrease the friction coefficient of the composite material, in addition to allowing a more effective distribution, within the matrix, of the electric charges generated by the piezoelectric particles.

[0097] FIG. 4 shows a possible flow chart 100 of the operations made by the system according to the present invention.

[0098] In particular, with reference even at FIGS. 2 and 3, after having prepared the composite material 10 [101], the composite material 10 is adapted to be deposited by a releasing device 20, for example by injection, in a joint cavity at degradations and/or at defects of the cartilage of the articulation to treat [102].

[0099] When the composite material 10 is stimulated by means of ultrasound emitted by the stimulator device 30 provided by the present invention, the piezoelectric particles are stimulated and, consequently, generate electric charges which have a chondrogenic on the stamina cells, going to regenerate the cartilage [103].

[0100] The system can furthermore provide a wearable device 40 that can contain the stimulator device 30 inside, in order to direct the ultrasound towards the joint cavity and stimulate the piezoelectric particles automatically at predetermined intervals [103′].

[0101] In the preferred exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the biodegradable polymer matrix 11 is, in particular, a hydrogel. This allows the material 10 to have enough density and viscosity for keeping the piezoelectric particles 12 and the stamina cells 13 at close distance so as to increase their interaction. Furthermore, the form of hydrogel allows the composite material 10 to be injected in the joint by adequately filling the joint cavity and coming into contact with each lesion of the cartilage, then remaining in a stable position.

[0102] FIG. 5 shows a variant of the flow-sheet of FIG. 4, wherein a step of monitoring the regeneration status of the cartilaginous tissue is further provided, operated by a control unit. On the basis of this monitoring, the control unit can then subsequently modify the characterizing parameters of the ultrasounds in order to guarantee greater speed and quality of the cartilage tissue regeneration.