Search

The high rate of rejection and failure of orthopedic implants is primarily attributed to incomplete osseointegration and stress at the implant-to-bone interface due to significant differences in the mechanical properties of the implant and the surrounding bone. Various surface treatments have been developed to enhance the osteoconductive properties of implants. The aim of this work was the in vitro characterization of titanium alloy modified with a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite surface layer in relative comparison to unmodified controls. This investigation focused on the behavior of the surface treatment in relation to the physiological environment. Moreover, the osteogenic response of human osteoblasts and adipose stem cells was assessed. Qualitative characterization of cellular interaction was performed via confocal laser scanning microscopy focusing on the cell nuclei and cytoskeletons. Filipodia were assessed using scanning electron microscopy. The results highlight that the HA treatment promotes protein adhesion as well as gene expression of osteoblasts and stem cells, which is relevant for the inorganic and organic components of the extracellular matrix and bone. In particular, cells grown onto HA-modified titanium alloy are able to promote ECM production, leading to a high expression of collagen I and non-collagenous proteins, which are crucial for regulating mineral matrix formation. Moreover, they present an impressive amount of filipodia having long extensions all over the test surface. These findings suggest that the HA surface treatment under investigation effectively enhances the osteoconductive properties of Ti6Al4V ELI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long‐term success of intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prostheses (ITAPs) mainly relies on dermal attachment of skin cells to the implant. Otherwise, bacteria can easily penetrate through the interface between the implant and the skin. Therefore, infection at this implant/skin interface remains a significant complication in orthopedic surgeries in which these prostheses are required. Two main strategies were investigated to prevent these potential infection problems which consist in either establishing a strong sealing at the skin/implant interface or on eradicating infections by killing bacteria. In this work, two adhesion peptides, either KRGDS or KYIGSR and one antimicrobial peptide, Magainin 2 (Mag 2), were covalently grafted via phosphonate anchor arms to the surface of the Ti6Al4V ELI (extra low interstitials) material, commonly used to manufacture ITAPs. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle, and confocal microscopy analyses enabled to validate the covalent and stable grafting of these three peptides. Dermal fibroblasts cultures on bare Ti6Al4V ELI surfaces and functionalized ones displayed a good cell adhesion and proliferation on all samples. However, cell spreading and viability appeared to be improved on grafted surfaces, especially for those conjugated with KRGDS and Mag 2. Moreover, the dermal sheet attachment, was significantly higher on surfaces functionalized with Mag 2 as compared to the other surfaces. Therefore, the surface functionalization with the antimicrobial peptide Mag 2 seems to be the best approach for the targeted application, as it could play a dual role, inducing a strong skin adhesion while limiting infections on Ti6Al4V ELI materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In powder bed fusion laser beam (PBF-LB), powder reusability remains key to keeping cost-effectivity as well as sustainability. In this study, highly sensitive Ti6Al4V ELI powder typically used for medical and aerospace applications is studied. Powder properties of new and reused powders after 10 build cycles subjected to variations such as morphology, particle size distribution (PSD), chemical composition and flowability were analysed. The flow rate using Carney flowmeter increased from 6.8 s to 12 s. Oxygen content slightly increased from 0.11% to 0.12%. The dimensional deviations are measured in six builds of eight samples spread through the build plate. The density of the cubes does not show relevant differences in density (from 99.6% to 99.9%), only the last batch exhibits slightly lower density than the previous builds. Studied properties for the powder and builds are maintained throughout the experiment, demonstrating repeatability of industrial production of metal parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inflammation around poorly osseointegrated bioimplant is one of the root causes of its failure. Therefore, the biomedical industry constantly strives for new ways to develop bioactive surfaces in permanent implants to enhance the service life. In this regard, implant surface modification at micro/nanoscales is carried out to enrich substrate with higher engineering attributes and biocompatibility. Considering the complexities of post-processing of implants, this study evaluates the potentiality of an integrated process of implant machining and surface modification, namely, powder-mixed electric discharge machining (PMEDM). Ti6Al4V ELI implant material, as substrate, is machined under two distinct (Si, SiC) mixed additive conditions using a full factorial design of experiments. The surface quality, surface morphology, recast layer depth, surface chemistry, and work hardening have been holistically investigated. The bioactivity analysis of machined surfaces shows more porosity in the case of Si powder particles (200 to 400 nm) compared to SiC (100 to 250 nm). Furthermore, the study optimized the process parameters for minimum roughness and recast layer depth considering 5 g/L powder concentration, 5A pulse current, 50 µs pulse on time for Si, and 100 µs pulse on time for SiC. A comprehensive review of surface features based on process physical science is established, and nanoscale surface topography influencing protein absorption is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the possibility of direct processing of CAD models into three-dimensional objects, additive manufacturing (AM) is widely used in the production of individualized bone scaffolds that can lead to perfect restoration of anatomical structures of missing bone tissues. In this work, one of the AM technologies was applied, referred to as Electron Beam Melting (EBM), using Ti6Al4V ELI alloy to produce open-cell structures. Scaffold architecture influences its mechanical properties and is important from the point of view of biological considerations. To optimize mechanical properties, designed geometries were subjected to Finite Element Method analysis and experimental static compression tests. Also, geometric CT analysis of manufactured scaffolds was carried out (geometry deviations up to ± 300 µm). Obtained results have shown that AM can be used to produce Ti6Al4V ELI alloy scaffolds displaying mechanical parameters similar to those of bone tissue (E = 0.45–2.88 MPa). The EBM process affects the microstructure and macrostructural properties of manufactured parts, e.g., through internal porosities present in the material by to unmelted powder particles (internal porosity in range of 1.25–2.25%). To assess the quality and suitability of additively manufactured implants, a multidimensional verification of the impact of the manufacturing process on the properties of the final product was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One alternative for processing cost reduction with simultaneous improvement of the mechanical properties of the Medical Ti6Al4V alloy is to get its semi-solid feedstock with a non-dendritic microstructure for further processing. The purpose of the present work is to evaluate the possibility of obtaining a semi-solid Ti6Al4V alloy by heating it up from the room temperature to the range temperature between the lines solidus and liquidus, using induction heating. The Ti6Al4V billets underwent heat treatment and quenching for semi-solid formation using a designed device and specific time pulsed profile. The billet temperature reached 1630 oC, and after the cooling rate of 54 oC/s, some samples formed a globular phase characteristic of the semi-solid alloy. This study shows that it is possible to get a semi-solid microstructure of this alloy starting from its solid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interplay between a prosthetic and tissue represents an important factor for the fixation of orthopedic implants. Laser texturing tests and electropolishing were performed on two materials used in the fabrication of medical devices, i.e., CoCr and Ti6Al4V-ELI alloys. The material surface was textured with a diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser and its effect on the surface quality and material modification, under different combinations of laser power and marking speed, were investigated. Our results indicate that an increment of energy per unit length causes an incremental trend in surface roughness parameters. Additionally, phase transformation on the surface of both alloys was achieved. Chemical analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) shows the formation of (Co(Cr,Mo)) phase and the M23C6 precipitate on the CoCr surface; while quantitative analysis of the X-ray diffractometer (XRD) results demonstrates the oxidation of the Ti alloy with the formation of Ti2O and Ti6O from the reduction of the α-Ti phase. The behaviors were both related with an increase of the energy per unit length. Control of the final surface roughness was achieved by an electropolishing post-treatment, minimizing the as-treated values. After polishing, a reduction of surface roughness parameters was obtained in a range between 3% and 44%, while no changes in chemical composition or present phases were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron beam melting (EBM) is an additive manufacturing technique, which allows forming customized implants that perfectly fit the loss of the anatomical structure of bone. Implantation efficiency depends not only on the implant's functional or mechanical properties but also on its surface properties, which are of great importance with regard to such biological processes as bone regeneration or microbial contamination. This work presents the impact of surface modifications (mechanical polishing, sandblasting, and acid-polishing) of EBM-produced Ti6Al4V ELI implants on essential biological parameters. These include wettability, cytotoxicity toward fibroblast and osteoblast cell line, and ability to form biofilm by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Obtained results indicated that all prepared surfaces exhibited hydrophilic character and the highest changes of wettability were obtained by chemical modification. All implants displayed no cytotoxicity against osteoblast and fibroblast cell lines regardless of the modification type. In turn, the quantitative microbiological tests and visualization of microbial biofilm by means of electron microscopy showed that type of implant's modification correlated with the species-specific ability of microbes to form biofilm on it. Thus, the results of the presented study confirm the relationship between such technological aspects as surface modification and biological properties. The provided data are useful with regard to applications of the EBM technology and present a significant step towards personalized, customized implantology practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]