</a><strong>Background</strong><br>
Bone cements based on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) are mostly used for the anchorage of artificial joints, as bone substitutes at backbone diseases or after tumour surgeries, for the encouragement of implants (e.g. plates, nails) or as placeholder in infected joints. Most bone cements are produced by the combination of a 2-phase-system, containing a powder (PMMA) and a fluid (MMA). Especially during the insertion of bone cement into fractured vertebral bodies or cleared tumour caves (vertebroplasty) it is necessary to follow the surgery process by MR imaging to ensure the right position of the bone cement (“open MRI”).<br><br> <strong>Technology</strong><br> Therefore the researchers developed bone cement with paramagnetic properties to induce a MRT detectable signal. They added sodium chloride solution containing a contrast agent to the MMA and proceeded as done by common bone cement production. In this way they achieved modified bone cement that can induce a MR signal by keeping all conventional properties. <br><br> <b>Benefits:</b><ul> <li>Low technical risk </li> <li>Suitable for implants</li> <li>MRT-controlled surgeries are possible</li> <li>Overcomes the disadvantage of common bone cement not to generate a signal detectable by MR imaging</li> </ul> <p><strong>IP Rights</strong><br> Patent applications in USA and Europe (priority February, 2008) <br><br> <strong>Patent Owner</strong><br> Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
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