Raleigh-based NC State University biomedical engineers are developing nanotechnology built directly into orthopedic implants to help prevent infections, according to a Nanowerk News report.
Researchers are engineering ways to apply a low-intensity electrical charge to a silver-titanium implant, releasing low-toxicity silver ions that kill or neutralize bacteria. The power source can be integrated into the implant design.
R&D was conducted by Rohan Shirwaiker, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of industrial systems engineering and adjunct assistant professor of biomedical engineering at NC State, and PhD candidate George Tan. Dr. Shirwaiker recently won Best Young Investigator award at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons conference, according to the report.
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