Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers Network in the Enhancement of Anti-Infective Strategies
Abstract
Extremity injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom account for more than 50% of all combat wounds. Of these, 82% are open fractures, exposing bone to environmental contaminants. These contaminated fractures treated with implants have demonstrated infection rates as high as 77%, with a majority being polymicrobial infections with a high propensity of drug-resistant pathogens. These infections lead to a 20% rate of amputation, considerable disability, and a >40% reduction in return to active duty. While perhaps most acute in the active duty population, infected orthopaedic implants are also of seminal importance in the Veteran and civilian population, summing to more than $8 billion of additional healthcare spending in the United States each year. We propose to engineer an integrated network of electromagnetic acoustic (EMA) transducers to deliver ultrasonic waves directly on the implant surface. Modulation of the energy over time will be optimized to enhance the effect in the various stages of biofilm development. Combination of this engineered EMA sensor network may be used in combination with other anti-infective strategies or drugs to enhance their efficacy while reducing the development of resistant strains. The transducer form factor will allow future integration into a wearable garment or brace, making the device usable immediately after surgery, during recovery/rehabilitation, during training, or in the battlefield. The proposed research study will have a profound impact for Service members, Veterans, and civilian population, providing the versatility needed to treat the spectrum of pathogenic bacteria seen in contaminated fractures while keeping costs down and decreasing the risk of development of resistant strains.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1810123
Entities
People
- Fabrizio Billi
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of California, Los Angeles