DTIF Embolic Particles

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic degenerative disease causing severe pain and reduced mobility, often leading to knee replacement surgery. It was the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting three hundred twenty-seven million people globally. In KOA, healthy cartilage in the knee joint breaks down, starting a chemical process in the surrounding tissue that leads to the growth of new blood vessels and nerves. This results in swelling and increased pressure on the cartilage, perpetuating a cycle of degeneration until knee replacement becomes necessary.

The project involved embolizing, or blocking, the tiny blood vessels of the knee with two hundred micrometer resorbable particles synthesized by the team. By blocking these vessels, the mechanism of knee swelling, known as synovitis, was disabled. Patients experienced dramatic benefits almost immediately, with results lasting up to five years.