Grant: Proof of Principle Program - Phase I

Deformities of the face and skull (craniomaxillofacial, CMF) can result from high impact trauma, congenital malformations or tumours, leading to functional disabilities and physical disfigurement. Like a shattered vase, the fractured CMF skeleton requires alignment and stabilization of multiple pieces for successful reconstruction. In CMF reconstructive surgery, generally using plates and screws, complications occur in up to half of all cases. "Bone Tape" represents a novel idea in CMF surgical reconstruction. The concept is a strong "duct tape" like device that can adhere to bone and be used to reattach fractured pieces and hold them stable until they heal. The properties of "Bone Tape" offer a unique combination of strength, versatility and ease of use on complex bone geometries. "Bone Tape" is also made of materials that will eventually (and safely) resorb over time after the fracture has healed, leaving only the mended bones behind. In developing this concept, initial hand-made prototypes of "Bone Tape" were created using a novel multiphase material that can adhere to bone. Pilot testing of "Bone Tape" demonstrated that this device was safe, quick and easy to use, and provided sufficient stability for bone healing in a small preclinical facial fracture model. The goal of our proposed work is to develop a better "Bone Tape" through optimizing the design, materials and manufacturing methods, to evaluate the preclinical performance of the optimized device, and to establish a framework for building a "Bone Tape" start-up company. This project will ultimately enable scale-up production of a practical, consistent, safe "Bone Tape" product which can be applied by surgeons in the operating room for CMF stabilization. Our clinical and scientific team is committed to translating "Bone Tape" into practice, to improve treatment and outcomes, with less complications and better lives for those recovering from serious CMF injuries and deformities.