MUMBAI, India, July 24 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641085366 A) filed by Sri Eshwar College Of Engineering on July 11, 2026, for Synthesis Of Crab Shell-Derived Hydroxyapatite-Based Multifunctional Biocomposite Scaffolds For Synergistic Bone Regeneration And Osteomyelitis Treatment.
Inventors include Muthu Shyamala. S; L. Priya; and Santhiya. P.
The application for the patent was published on July 17, 2026, under issue no. 29/2026.
Abstract: Osteomyelitis is a severe bone infection commonly caused by bacterial pathogens and is associated with challenges such as antibiotic resistance, poor drug penetration, systemic toxicity, and limited bone regeneration. The current methods of treating such infections, such as extended systemic antibiotic use, surgical debridement, bone grafting, and antibiotic-loaded bone cement, are not always suitable for the control of infection, invasiveness, poor biodegradability, or low osteogenic potential. Therefore, the present invention relates to a greener approach to the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles using crab shell waste and to its use in the development of biocomposite scaffolds for the localized treatment of osteomyelitis. The shells of crabs are washed, dried, crushed, ball-milled, calcined to obtain calcium oxide, and transformed to hydroxyapatite by reacting with orthophosphoric acid and then crystallizing, filtering, drying and calcining. Synthetic HA is blended with chitosan (CTS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), forming porous scaffolds through solution casting and incubation. HA is osteoconductive, CTS is biocompatible and bioactive, and PVA provides mechanical strength and structural integrity. Two different scaffold embodiments are described: a scaffold composed of HA/CTS/PVA/MgO nanoparticles as an osteogenic and antibacterial agent and a scaffold composed of HA/CTS/PVA/CIP as a sustained localized drug delivery system for the antibiotic, Ciprofloxacin. Both scaffolds have antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, and the antibacterial properties of the ciprofloxacin-loaded scaffold are found to be more sustained. The invention herein provides a versatile scaffold, which is biodegradable, has infection control properties, exhibits enhanced antibacterial activity and has bone regeneration properties, which is effective in the management of osteomyelitis.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
