Project manager:
Dr. Nat. Sci. [rer. nat.] Boris Chichkov
Dr. Nat. Sci. [rer. nat.] Helmut Keul
Dr. Nat. Sci. [rer. nat.] Katrin Sternberg
Dr. Med. Mathias Wilhelmi
Dr. Med. Axel Haverich

The overall goal of the project is the generation and evaluation of biodegradable, microstructured, three-dimensional and autologously cellular, colonised and hence, vitalised matrices which are oriented to the functional requirement profile of native vessels. The thematically diverse individual steps to implement this goal describe components which are complementary to each other which as before and also in the future are to be processed in clearly defined time sequence. The project is thematically based on the bundling of competencies in the areas of laser and process engineering, chemistry, biology and medicine.

Project manager:
Dr. Nat. Sci. [rer. nat.] Dr. Dietmar Kracht
Dr. Eng. Dipl. Chem. Stephan Barcikowski
Dr. Med. Rüdiger Blindt

The goal of this subprojects is to provide a method for the implementation of partially nanostructured microsystems based on function-specific, customised implants for medical technology from NiTi shape-memory alloys (FGL) using the laser sintering process as well as absorbable stents of polylactide.
An application example of the FGL structures is the guided growth of cells in the area of reconstructive surgery. Here three-dimensional “growth splints” are generated which are to reach the respectively large target volume of the cultivated tissue (e.g. for the cultivation of biological implants with body contour defects or tumour operations). The plan is to investigate the generation of vascularised bone tissue on a model basis. To this purpose, hierarchical structures will be set up using microlaser sintering from actoric and biocompatible FG alloys.

Project manager:
Dr. Eng. Wolfram Schmidt
Dr. Eng. Klaus-Peter Schmitz
Dr. Med. Rudolf Guthoff
Dr. Nat. Sci.[rer. nat.] Boris Chichkov

An improved therapy of glaucoma will be done through the development of a new type of microstent using alternative aqueous humour drainage pathways and spaces such as the uveoscleral aqueous humour pathways and the suprachoroidal space. The basic problem of previous implants, the occurrence of fibroses up to the loss of function, is to be remedied (Fig. 1).

Project manager:
Dr. Nat. Sci.[rer. nat.] Gerrit Paasche
Dr. Eng. Dipl. Chem. Stephan Barcikowski
Dr. Eng. Klaus-Peter Schmitz

The goal of this subproject is to develop, using the cochlea implant electrode as an example, an time-controlled local drug delivery system in order to obtain antiproliferative effects on fibroblasts and neurotrophic effects on nerve cells. The main points of concentration are the reduction of the connective tissue coat on the electrode carrier in response to both the implant material and the insertion traumata and a prevention of the degeneration of the nerve cells in the inner ear, the spiral ganglion cells, after deafness sets in. In this connection, synergic effects of metal ion release (nanoparticle dissolution) should be utilised both in the electrode material (long-term effect) and in coatings (short-time effect) for a controlled active agent release. Additionally a neurotrophic effect on nerve cells is achieved through the coupling of biomolecules.

Project manager:
Dr. Med. Stefan Jockenhövel
Dr. Nat. Sci.[rer. nat.] Ulrich Martin
Dr. Med. Christian Klopsch

Approximately 68,000 pacemaker systems are implanted annually in Germany. The main indication is represented here by high grade atrioventricular blockage (AV Block). As part of the conventional pacemaker therapy, the greatly increased risk of a sensor or aggregate infection of high clinical relevance is of high clinical relevance in addition to the battery depletion and the sensor encapsulation with consecutive increase in the threshold. Additionally the small anatomical relationships of children and the missing adaptation of the sensor length represent a further relevant problem.

Project manager:
Dr. Eng. habil. Katrin Sternberg
Dr. Med. Dr. h.c. Axel Haverich
Dr. Nat. Sci.[rer. nat.] Martin Möller

The goal of the project is the basic-oriented development of partially biologically absorbable or completely biologically absorbable, minimally invasive implantable heart valve prostheses for the treatment of congenital disorders of the mitral valve in children. The starting points of the project are the clinically established concepts of the percutaneous aortic valve replacement in adult patients.