The main three objectives of project DIROBONE are:
1.Strengthen the research and innovation collaboration between academia and enterprises.
Promote the integration of robotic machining and bone cutting technologies towards the development of personalized implants needed in spine surgery and for achieving full biocompatibility.
2.Experimental trials for the cutting bone model have been successfully completed at the University of Nottingham. Results are currently being analyzed and will be disseminated in due course. Experimental cutting of intervertebral implants using a robotic parallel kinematic machine tool have also been completed.
3.Assure transference of the developments through the use of value proposal, technological road mapping, disruptive business planning and other chains of innovation in benefit to the society.
This project is focused on the development of a process for the fabrication of personalised intervertebral spine implants using robotic technology and bone tissue; in order to achieve full biocompatibility in the treatment of spine injuries and chronic degenerative diseases.
The participants are the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom) and Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico), each one responsible of a research avenue. The main aim of the UK research comes in the process development, while the Mexican work is focused on testing and product prototyping.
The outcomes include intellectual property application, a dissemination strategy for the academic results, the enhancement of the scientific and innovative competencies of students and researchers in both sides of the collaboration and the improvement of a mutual research line dedicated to the development of medical devices for developing countries.