Cuban institute develops advanced ultrasonic bone generator

Scientists at Cuba's Institute of Cybernetics, Mathematics, and Physics (Icimaf) have achieved a significant milestone with the development of Boneconsol, an advanced medium-power ultrasonic generator designed for the prevention and therapy of bone consolidation. This innovative equipment is currently undergoing validation by national regulatory authorities, paving the way for Cuba to attain technological sovereignty in the production of a non-invasive, state-of-the-art ultrasonic system for bone healing.

The project, spearheaded by Dr. Ernesto Carrillo Barroso from Icimaf's Applied Physics Department, aims to equip orthopedic surgeons and specialized rehabilitation therapists with a high-quality, nationally designed device. The goal is to optimize therapeutic effects, ensure accurate treatment outcomes, reduce unnecessary hospital stays, and facilitate patients' swift recovery and return to daily life. President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez showed particular interest in the development of this technology and the associated production of a ceramic-resin composite based on polymers and calcium phosphates for fracture fixation using ultrasonic welding.

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The objective of this result is to make available to the country's orthopedic surgeons and specialized physical therapists a high-quality national design team, which will allow optimizing the desired therapeutic effects without inducing false negative results, controlling the efficacy of medical treatments, reducing unnecessary hospital stays, and favoring a prompt patient recovery and their reintegration into daily life.

Dr. Julio Francisco Rivero Hernández, a specialist at the Frank País International Scientific Orthopedic Complex, lauded Icimaf's scientific and technological prowess, comparing it favorably to international counterparts. He highlighted the collaborative success in creating a biocompatible and cost-effective biomaterial for manufacturing absorbable bioactive screws in Cuba. These screws are intended for ultrasonic bone welding, specifically for treating minimally invasive fractures, such as non-displaced intracapsular hip fractures.

Rivero Hernández emphasized the importance of this homegrown technology for addressing a significant health issue, particularly among the elderly, a growing demographic in Cuba. Beyond Boneconsol, Icimaf's contributions also include the design of a new, low-cost, reusable piezoelectric sensor for measuring blood flow during coronary implant surgeries using ultrasound, and the application of Doppler technology for blood flow measurement in angiology and coronary implants. These advancements underscore Icimaf's role in developing cutting-edge medical technologies within Cuba.

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It is considered a success that the joint work has made it possible to obtain a biocompatible and economical biomaterial for the manufacture in our country of bioactive screws for absorbable osteosynthesis with ultrasonic bone welding, especially for the treatment of non-displaced intracapsular fractures of the hip, among other injuries.