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Research & Development Request

M-ERANET: New strategies for advanced material-based technologies for health applications. Development of a conductive material for 3D printing aimed at health applications and silver economy. Industrial partner sought for validation of the material

Country of Origin: Spain
Reference Number: RDES20210507002
Publication Date: 12 May 2021

Summary

Basque (north of Spain) 3D printing SME has teamed up with a local technology centre, a university and another SME for the development of a special material suitable for rehabilitation treatments. The four organizations wish to complete a consortium with partner(s) who will have to test, validate and propose different applications for the new material under the ERA-NET Cofund M-eranet Call 2021 within research cooperation agreements.

Description

A good number of medical appliances and treatments are used in rehabilitation for healing different parts of the arm (hand, wrist, fingers, elbow and shoulder). Since time immemorial, casts made of plaster have been used for treating fractures. 



Nevertheless, that type of material is the direct cause of different immobilisation syndromes which involves an important loss of quality of life and irreversible consequences.



These old casts could be replaced by orthoses made from the newly developed material as they will accommodate better to the physiology of the body part in question and help restore function earlier. Furthermore, given the conductivity of the material; electricity could also be introduced in the treatment not only for improving and restoring upper limb functioning but also for healing surgical wounds and get a faster recovery.



Up to now, the team of organizations of this Basque consortim have produced a demonstrator; a finger piece printed by FDM (fused deposition modelling). Its design is currently being adapted to measure different pressures (man/women). The material used in this finger piece is a thermoplastic (polymer-based), conductive (10-5 Siemens/metre) and 3D printable which makes it suitable for different sanitary applications. The main advantage of this type of material is the fact that it is cheap, ecological and customizable.



The technology centre is planning to fully develop this material with all the

mechanical performance and temperature resistance conditions required by medical applications.



Ultimately, the objective of this joint project is to develop a hand cast or any other devices for diagnosis aimed at treating medical conditions of the hand in rehabilitation. 



The prospective partner could be an innovation-led industrial company who is expected to carry out material testing and validation in medical appliances as its main task. 



EOI deadline: 31st May

Submission of pre-proposal deadline: 15th June

Project duration: 104 weeks

HE Eranet Cofund M-eranet Call 2021

Two-stage submission scheme

Expertise sought

An industrial partner:

a) R&D performing company active or at least knwoledgeable about 3D printing,

b) manufacturer of medical devices

Stage Of Development

Project already started

Requested partner

Type of partner sought: an industrial partner (R&D performing SME) active in 3D printing or a manufacturer of medical devices  who must be eligible to participate in the M-ERANET call 2021.

 

Role of the partner: the prospective partner should carry out field tests and validate the new material in sanitary products that can be applied in physiotherapy of the hand. Other areas of application of the new material proposed by the partner will be welcome.