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University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Ex-Vivo Injection of Biomaterial Biologics for Treatment of Osteonecrosis

Abstract

dc:description

BACKGROUND: A loss of blood flow to bone produces osteonecrosis, characterized by cell necrosis and tissue destruction. This necrotic microenvironment induces chronic inflammation, poor bone regeneration, joint deformity, osteoarthritis, and potentially a total joint replacement. One potential treatment is to remove necrotic tissue via minimally invasive saline washes followed by local injection of biomaterials, which can act as drug- or cell-delivery agents that localize therapeutics to the target tissue. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of the study was to maximize microsphere distribution in an ex vivo humeral head osteonecrosis model. The hypothesis was that bone washing, smaller microsphere size, higher microsphere concentration, hydrogel carrier, larger inter-needle distance, and increased needle number would maximize microsphere distribution. METHODS: Eighty-five heads underwent three freeze-thaw cycles, simulating osteonecrosis, followed by injection with 15-guage intraosseous needles, saline washing, and microsphere injection under various parameters. Microsphere distribution was detected in 3D by micro-CT and in 2D by histology, and the microsphere volume and average distance to the nearest 9 neighbors were used to quantify the distribution. RESULTS: Bone washing, smaller microsphere size, larger inter-needle distance, increased needle number, and hydrogel carrier significantly improved the overall microsphere distribution. While increased microsphere concentration and larger microsphere size caused crowding at the injection sites, injection in hydrogel prevented crowding. Hydrogel had the strongest effect on improving microsphere distribution. In conclusion, clinicians may use these results to inject biomaterial with an optimal distribution for maximal drug or cell delivery to the target tissue, stimulating ideal tissue regeneration. KEYWORDS: Avascular Necrosis, Osteonecrosis, Computer Vision, Bone Wash, Biomaterials, Alpha Shape, Micro-CT Spatial Analysis

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Gokani, Vishal Anilkumar
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Kim, Harry K. W.
  • Ren, Yinshi
  • Ma, Chi

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

Language dc:language
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Identifier
1596185267
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:utswmed-ir.tdl.org:2152.5/10834

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Base URL
utswmed-ir.tdl.org/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Gokani, Vishal Anilkumar. Ex-Vivo Injection of Biomaterial Biologics for Treatment of Osteonecrosis. 2026. https://hdl.handle.net/2152.5/10834