VA Funds New Limb-Loss Research

VA Funds New Limb-Loss Research


WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Creating "biohybrid" limbs that use
human tissue and space-age technology to assist amputees is the major goal of
a $7.2 million grant by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a
special research center in Rhode Island.
"Helping our combat-disabled veterans recover from their wounds is among
VA's highest responsibilities," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J.
Principi. "This grant allows us to bring cutting-edge science to help these
wounded heroes."
The five-year grant will fund the new Center for Restorative and
Regenerative Medicine, to be operated jointly by the Providence VA Medical
Center, Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Scientists hope to create "biohybrid" limbs that will use regenerated
tissue, lengthened bone, titanium prosthetics and implantable sensors that
allow amputees to use nerves and brain signals to move arms or legs. The aim
is to give amputees -- particularly war veterans -- better mobility and
control of their limbs and to reduce the discomfort and infections common with
current prosthetics.
According to a recent Senate report, body armor and improvements in
casualty care have contributed to the lowest "died-of-wounds" rate in military
history. However, the report says more surviving soldiers from the Iraq war
have lost arms or legs. Historically, 3 percent of soldiers wounded in action
required some amputation, but the number in Iraq is 6 percent, according to
the report.
"VA has been a leader in prosthetics and limb-loss research throughout its
history," said Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, VA's acting under secretary for health.
"This new center continues that tradition. It will help veterans and all
Americans who have lost limbs to have greater mobility, greater function and
greater independence than previously possible."
The new research center will be located at the Providence VA Medical
Center. Research and clinical care will take place at the medical center,
Brown, MIT and Rhode Island Hospital.
Dr. Roy Aaron, director of the center at VA Providence, said biohybrid
limbs will maximize amputees' existing tissue and bone. Surgery that
lengthens bone will be coupled with tissue engineering techniques to speed
healing. The goal is to make bones longer to improve the fit of prosthetics
and make bones stronger to reduce fractures.
Researchers will use tissue engineering to further restore limbs.
Research also will focus on joining biological tissue with high-tech
prosthetics. Researchers will try to improve a process known as
"osseointegration," in which a titanium bolt is attached to an amputee's
existing limb, allowing the attachment of prosthetics. These researchers will
try to grow skin that will fuse with the titanium, forming a natural seal
around the bolts to reduce the rate of infection.
"While many of the techniques we're using are being tested across the
country, this project marks the first time they will be pulled together to
improve care for amputees, particularly veterans," Aaron said.
Anyone who has lost a limb -- due to injuries or diseases such as diabetes
and bone cancer -- will be eligible to enroll in clinical trials.
While the project's ultimate aim is to build biohybrid limbs, experiments
may yield advances that could be used for many clinical applications. For
example, cartilage regeneration could prevent the need for total knee and hip
replacement surgeries. A skin seal could improve the safety of catheters,
stents and other medical devices prone to infection. And robotic knees and
ankles could help people immobilized by stroke, cerebral palsy and multiple
sclerosis.


SOURCE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Web Site: http://www.va.gov