IREBID

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH EXCHANGE FOR BIOMEDICAL DEVICES DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'During the last five to ten years, the healthcare sector is increasing its research activity, not only because final terminal cases are looking for solutions, but also diagnosis, treatment and life-long care are becoming ways to reduce costs of health care. Also, doctors and patients are constantly looking for better technologies in products such as orthopedic prosthesis, diagnostics, surgery instrumentation, drug dosing and delivery systems. In the meantime other maturing manufacturing systems with high level of knowledge (e.g. automotive manufacturing field) have been decreasing its research activity and well-developed technological advancements and solutions are not exploited as much as they can be in other fields. The main objective is to create and reinforce synergies between applied investigation fields of engineering and medicine in order to develop new solutions for the healthcare sector. The project will help in creating a high level expertise and understanding on Design, Prototyping and Manufacture for Medical Devices using computing tools, biomaterials and other biocompatible engineering materials. IREBID project is focused on developing novel and innovative medical devices, based on four big activities, Workshops (Seminars given by experts in medical field), Lecture (Short Senior Researcher Visit), Joint Research Projects (Collaboration between two or more partners) and Meetings. The expected result of the project is to develop solutions for the sector of biomedicine (new medical devices) and bioengineering such as, Development of coronary "stents", devices which can slowly dose the medicine, improve existing developments, develop artificial joint replacements and orthopedic prosthesis, new optimized geometries and coatings for some invasive medical tools such as needles, scalpels and surgical tools and fabrication of functional graded scaffolds for tissue engineering.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Driven by the growing demand for more effective medical devices, industry is developing customised products. These efforts can be enhanced by knowledge sharing among stakeholders.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

An EU-funded project, 'International research exchange for biomedical devices design and prototyping' (IREBID), addressed this issue in multiple ways. It began by identifying two objectives. The first was to establish channels of communications and synergies through the exchange of staff (early-stage or experienced researchers) between partner organisations from six European and non-European countries. The second was to develop innovative products within the medical field.

Overall, the IREBID project strived to create a high level of expertise and understanding of design, prototyping and manufacturing of medical devices. Accomplishing this goal involved using computing tools, biomaterials and other innovative manufacturing technologies.

To achieve its first objective, the project funded 414 secondments for travel costs and subsistence allowances. Accomplishing the second objective, however, involved completing four activities: workshops with expert doctors, engineers and companies; lectures with experienced researchers; joint research projects between partners; and periodic meetings.

As a result of these efforts, IREBID gathered information and knowledge about a range of topics, such as the design of tracheal stents, skull models and hip prostheses. For some devices, including tracheal stents, hip and maxillofacial implants, and skull and pelvic floor models, the team moved from information gathering to the development of conceptual designs and prototypes.

The project was successful in establishing synergies between the medical and technological fields. The IREBID partnership also took the next step by bringing some devices to market. In addition, the project generated 29 publications in research journals and 64 publications from international conferences.

Moving forward, the IREBID consortium is bringing in new partners from industry, materials science and electronics to continue with a second edition of the project. As a result, innovative products in a growing number of fields may emerge.