Local scientists are developing orthopedic devices

MANILA, Philippines – Scientists at the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) – National Institutes of Health have developed an innovative and affordable medical device that stabilizes and supports broken bones.

Dubbed the ‘iFix project’, this project aims to provide a cost-effective, locally manufactured alternative to traditional metal external fixators, which are often expensive and unavailable to many patients.

“Locally available external stabilizer systems do the job, but we want to find ways to do it better. The durability of locally available structures has not been tested and their use is challenging. Our idea was to develop an external fixation system that would be tested for durability, ease of use and affordability,” said Dr. Emmanuel Estrella, orthopedic surgeon and iFix project team leader.

External stabilization devices are used to quickly and effectively stabilize fractures of long bones, e.g. arms and legs.

They consist of clamps and metal rods, and pins are inserted into the bone through the skin. These are then connected to the outer frame. These devices can be adjusted externally to ensure that the bones remain in optimal position during the healing process.

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Treatment of fractures

Treating fractures requiring external fixation costs tens of thousands of pesos. Philippine Health Insurance Corp. covers the cost of procedures and equipment from £14,000 to £36,000.

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The team developed and tested prototypes of the device, and orthopedic surgeons are currently evaluating it on cadaveric bones.

“We wanted to make sure end users could use it efficiently and easily. Biomechanical tests were performed and the clamp design showed high strength, comparable to local stabilizer systems. Application to real patients will be the second phase of our study,” Estrella said.

The iFix project team – consisting of Estrella and engineers Jason Pechardo, Eduardo Magdaluyo Jr. and Miguel Aljibe from the UPM Surgical Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory – is in the process of obtaining a patent for the device.

They plan to work with local manufacturers to produce the iFix system in the Philippines. This initiative is expected to boost the local industry while increasing the availability of the device.

According to the researchers, the iFix design was distinguished by the use of less complex components and the use of the material’s natural flexibility to quickly connect to the bars thanks to a petal-like hinge. This design would allow for hand tightening and maintain the same level of adjustment as the widely recognized Hoffman stabilizers.

“Our current design consists of fewer components, which reduces costs while ensuring the functionality and reliability of the device. Our goal is to offer something between high-end models, which are often too expensive, and cheaper models that lack quality,” Pechardo said.