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European EuropeanProgrammesProgrammes

TEMPUS (1991-2001)TEMPUS (1991-2001) Institutional projects: 6Institutional projects: 6 Individual projects: 42Individual projects: 42 Finances: 2.1 mil. USDFinances: 2.1 mil. USD

ERASMUS and PHAREERASMUS and PHARE 2001-2009 (Average yearly values)2001-2009 (Average yearly values)

– Student mobility: 90 students / 420 monthsStudent mobility: 90 students / 420 months– Academic staff mobility: 235 teachersAcademic staff mobility: 235 teachers

LEONARDO DA VINCILEONARDO DA VINCI 2001-20062001-2006

– Student mobility : 30 students / 85 monthsStudent mobility : 30 students / 85 months– Academic staff mobility : 12 teachersAcademic staff mobility : 12 teachers

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341381358029

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2003 2005 2007 2009

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES (Values in Euro)

Average yearly values of the grants with partners from abroad:

358029,47 Euro

143360

67050

147619.47

Sciences (Matematics, Physics) Humanities Engineerings

Average values of the grants with partners from abroad (in percentages per fields)

41%

19%

40%

Sciences Humanities Engineerings

Modular orthopedic implants based on intelligent materialsModular orthopedic implants based on intelligent materials

Applications of Shape Memory Alloys, especially Nitinol, to Applications of Shape Memory Alloys, especially Nitinol, to the biomedical field have been successful because of their the biomedical field have been successful because of their advantages over conventional implantable alloys, enhancing advantages over conventional implantable alloys, enhancing both the possibility and the execution of less invasive both the possibility and the execution of less invasive surgeries.surgeries.

Important properties of Nitinol: biocompatibility, super Important properties of Nitinol: biocompatibility, super elasticity, force hysteresis, shape memory effect, excellent elasticity, force hysteresis, shape memory effect, excellent corrosion, torquability, less sensitivity to magnetic resonance corrosion, torquability, less sensitivity to magnetic resonance imaging and biomechanical compatibility.imaging and biomechanical compatibility.

The shape memory alloys possess the ability to The shape memory alloys possess the ability to undergo shape change at low temperature and retain undergo shape change at low temperature and retain this deformation until they are heated, at which pointthis deformation until they are heated, at which point they return to their original shape. they return to their original shape.

Groups and subgroups of tibia fractures (AO Classification) 42-A1 Simple fracture, spiroid

42-A1.1 Fibula intacta 42-A1.2 Fibula fracturata la alt nivel 42-A1.3 Fibula fracturata la acelasi nivel

42-A2 Simple fracture, oblique

42-A2.1 Fibula intacta 42-A2.2 Fibula fracturata la alt nivel 42-A2.3 Fibula fracturata la acelasi nivel 42-A3 Simple fracture, transverse

42-A3.1 Fibula intacta 42-A3.3 Fibula fracturata la acelasi nivel

42-B1 Polifragmented fracture, spiroid

42-B1.1 Fibula intacta 42-B1.2 Fibula fracturata la alt nivel 42-B1.3 Fibula fracturata la acelasi nivel

The failure rate for surgeries using classical plates is The failure rate for surgeries using classical plates is 30-40% due to the following:30-40% due to the following:

The absence of continuous compressionThe absence of continuous compressionExtensive destruction of soft tissueExtensive destruction of soft tissueExtensive destruction of blood vessels. Due to this, the Extensive destruction of blood vessels. Due to this, the

nutrient filled blood can not reach the fracture and nutrient filled blood can not reach the fracture and healing is not achieved.healing is not achieved.

Frequent infections because of the large incisions.Frequent infections because of the large incisions.

The design idea of modular adaptive orthopedic implants The design idea of modular adaptive orthopedic implants results from the following observations:results from the following observations:

- the doctors have a limited degree of freedom in selecting the - the doctors have a limited degree of freedom in selecting the proper dimensional devices for bones fractures;proper dimensional devices for bones fractures;

- - the current mechanical devices used in orthopedics don’t ensure the current mechanical devices used in orthopedics don’t ensure a permanent contact and a continue compression to the fractured a permanent contact and a continue compression to the fractured parts of the bone;parts of the bone;

to develop bone calluses, to recovery the bone and to improve the to develop bone calluses, to recovery the bone and to improve the healing process, it is essential that the fractured parts have to be healing process, it is essential that the fractured parts have to be in permanent contact, have to be anatomical reduced and it is in permanent contact, have to be anatomical reduced and it is necessary to be exerted a continue compression;necessary to be exerted a continue compression;

The first option The first option for our team it is focused on creating a for our team it is focused on creating a modular modular adaptive plate adaptive plate for fracture bone osteosynthesis, realized from for fracture bone osteosynthesis, realized from modules completely interchangeable, made of titanium or modules completely interchangeable, made of titanium or stainless steel and from connecting elements as U-shaped staples stainless steel and from connecting elements as U-shaped staples made of Nitinol.made of Nitinol.

Modules for the diaphiseal region of the long bones:Modules for the diaphiseal region of the long bones:

Modules and modular plates for the diaphiseal and Modules and modular plates for the diaphiseal and epiphiseal regions of the long bones: epiphiseal regions of the long bones:

The 3D ZCorp Rapid Prototyping Printer system

Tibia

Radius

In vivo experiments Case 1. In vivo experiments on the rabbits, using first variant of modular plates

Case 2. In vivo experiments on the rabbits, using the second variant of modular plates

Conclusions for the modular orthopedic plates:Conclusions for the modular orthopedic plates:1.The adaptive modular implants based on smart materials represent a 1.The adaptive modular implants based on smart materials represent a

superior solution in the osteosynthesis of the fractured bones over the superior solution in the osteosynthesis of the fractured bones over the conventional implants known so far. This conclusion is validated by in conventional implants known so far. This conclusion is validated by in vitro and in vivo experiments.vitro and in vivo experiments.

2.The superiority of this design 2.The superiority of this design a) their structure is based on small modules which can be mounted a) their structure is based on small modules which can be mounted

easily on the bone and can be used for every region of the bone, easily on the bone and can be used for every region of the bone, c) by combining a certain number of modules, we can obtain c) by combining a certain number of modules, we can obtain

implants with various lengths depending of type, position or dimension of implants with various lengths depending of type, position or dimension of the fracture;the fracture;

d)the possibility of mounting the Nitinol staple to the modules near d)the possibility of mounting the Nitinol staple to the modules near the fracture enables the stabilization and the rigidity of the implants as the fracture enables the stabilization and the rigidity of the implants as well as the good compaction and the good union of the bone fractures, well as the good compaction and the good union of the bone fractures, which are essential restrictions in the healing process.which are essential restrictions in the healing process.

-decrease in soft tissues destruction;-decrease in soft tissues destruction;-decrease in the intra-operator infections;-decrease in the intra-operator infections;-decrease in blood losses;-decrease in blood losses;-decrease in infection risk;-decrease in infection risk;-decrease in the healing time for the plagues;-decrease in the healing time for the plagues;

Thank you

and

Good luck !