A Bioresorbable Splint for Treating Tracheomalacia

University Of Michigan At Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is a congenital, or acquired, deficiency of tracheal and/or bronchial cartilages resulting in partial-to-complete collapse of tracheobronchial segments. TBM presents with dynamic airway collapse and respiratory difficulties. In severe cases, TBM results in acute life-threatening events and death. Severe cases require surgical intervention, including tracheal stenting followed by tracheotomy with positive pressure ventilation. However, current stenting, or other mechanical methods to ensure an open trachea, are associated with failure, morbidity and mortality. We have developed a bioresorbable splint for TBM that can be custom designed for patient specific anatomy and specific mechanical properties. The splint is fabricated using a 3D printing process which we have developed for bioresorbable PCL. We recently implanted the splint to treat imminently life-threatening TBM successfully in a 3-month old patient. The purpose of the current proposal is to investigate the effect of designed splint mechanical stiffness in a large, rapid growing animal model, the Yorkshire Pig, which experiences the equivalent of 2-3 years of human tracheal growth in a 4-6 month period. We will test two different splint designs along with no intervention in a pig tracheomalacia model to determine 1) the efficacy of using the splint to correct TBM and 2) the effect of splint design on tracheal growth.