Helping wrist fractures heal faster

The University of Adelaide’s Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and Austofix, an Adelaide-based medical device company, have collaborated on the development the VRP 2.0 (Volar Radius Plate) — an innovative device that will help wrist fractures heal faster and can be fitted more easily by surgeons.

As explained by Austofix General Manager Chris Henry, the project began when his company was looking for an advanced manufacturing partner who could assist in the R&D of the VRP 2.0. The device design includes an improved locking mechanism for the plate and an increased variable angle for the screws. This means surgeons can get a better hold on the wrist bone, leading to quicker healing.

The VRP 2.0 project was part-funded by the South Australian Government through the Photonics Catalyst Program, a joint initiative between the Department of State Development and IPAS. According to Henry, “This project brought together Austofix’s regulatory and clinical expertise, designers and engineers with the advanced manufacturing capabilities at IPAS, including 3D metal printing and ultrasonic milling specialists.”

Over the six-month project, which included consultation with Australian surgeons, many different designs were considered, prototyped and tested for an optimal solution that meets the needs of orthopaedic surgeons. The work was carried out at the OptoFab node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility at the University of Adelaide.

“Our Austofix product design engineers, working with IPAS, were able to innovate within a flexible design and manufacturing process,” said Henry. “This environment was key to our ability to take the prototype to market within such a short time frame.”

The VRP 2.0 will be manufactured in South Australia and launched by the end of the year. It is expected to be suitable for treating 90% of all wrist fractures, thus helping a wide variety of trauma patients.

“And as a result of this project and the collaboration that’s been put in place, we are set to become the advanced manufacturing research and development lab for Austofix,” said IPAS Director Professor Andre Luiten.