David Ku, a mechanical engineering professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and his students are conducting research on blood flow. In order to develop a synthetic artificial blood vessel material, they synthesized a new type of soft tissue-Cartiva soft tissue. This artificial synthetic soft tissue is made up of polyethylene醇, which is the main ingredient in contact lenses. It is designed to mimic the natural soft tissue used to treat osteoarthritis.

The conventional treatment for osteoarthritis involves using metal plates to fuse with the bone tissue at the bone-to-bone joint. However, this method can only help patients move within a certain range after the disease is cured. A new treatment approach that involves opening the joints and drilling a small hole in the bone next to the joint is being proposed. In this case, the soft tissue-Cartiva is implanted into the bone hole with the help of a compression tool. Once the soft tissue expands, it can firmly adhere to the bone without the need for additional fixation.

This new artificial synthetic soft tissue can replace metal plates and allow patients to regain full mobility. The price of a Cartiva implant kit is $4,500. Surgeons can use this kit to treat osteoarthritis of the big toe. The kit includes a 1/3-inch-sized soft tissue, a drill, and a tool for compressing and placing the soft tissue. This synthetic soft tissue does not wear out or cause unnecessary complications.

David Ku is attempting to apply this new synthetic soft tissue to other diseases such as replacing blood vessels and valves. He is working with the US Food and Drug Administration to seek approval for using this artificial soft tissue in the big toe.