Reducing implant-related complications and heálthcare costs (RICH)
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - Kemi, material och ytor, Borås |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 6 336 000 |
| Project duration | December 2015 - December 2018 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-driven innovation - Phase 2 Collaboration |
| Call | Challenge-driven innovation - Stage 2 Collaboration 2015 (autumn) |
Important results from the project
The project was aiming to develop new solutions for prevention or treatment of implant-related complications associated with dental implants and bone-anchored hearing aids. Therefore, in this project we have developed and tested experimental animal models that provide new insights into the mechanisms behind tissue loss and implant associated infections, new innovative clinical treatment protocols based on implant cleaning, new pharmaceuticals and new implantable materials, and new implant surfaces that form proper soft-tissue seal and prevent microbial invasion.
Expected long term effects
Medical implants save lives or improve quality of life for millions of patients but also might cause implant-related complications such as infections or tissue loss around the implant. These complications cause patient suffering and they are complex and costly to treat. In the project we have developed and tested in preclinical models several new materials and methods that help to prevent or treat the complications and, in this way, to reduce patient suffering and healthcare costs. Clinical testing is further required for transferring the solutions into products or clinical practice
Approach and implementation
The project involved consortium of 13 partners from academia, industry and healthcare institutions which covered excellences in the whole value chain from basic research to clinical practice. The project activities were organized in work packages focusing on search and analysis of patient follow-up databases, setting-up experimental platforms for preclinical testing, stopping the progression of bone loss/infection, regeneration of lost bone and implant, improving soft tissue seal around implant abutments, and developing molecular diagnostic and screening tools.