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Porous titanium implant materials and their potential in orthopedic surgery
Author(s) -
Schuh A.,
Luyten J.,
Vidael R.,
Hönle W.,
Schmickal T.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
materialwissenschaft und werkstofftechnik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.285
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1521-4052
pISSN - 0933-5137
DOI - 10.1002/mawe.200700246
Subject(s) - materials science , titanium , porosity , biocompatibility , titanium alloy , modulus , composite material , implant , elastic modulus , compressive strength , biomedical engineering , compression (physics) , metallurgy , surgery , alloy , medicine
In orthopedic surgery bony defects remains a challenge. In generally autologous or heterologous bony transplants can be used. Main problem is the limited amount of bone and donor site morbidity. Nowadays excellent implants and scaffolds at low costs are necessary in respect to the financial problems in our health care system and the strong financial limitations in clinical medicine. Recently a biomimetic approach, in which a porous synthetic bone substitute with properties similar to these of trabecular bone has been developed (VITOFOAM™). Aim of our study was to investigate whether cp‐Ti or Ti6Al4V or stainless steel (316L) porous metal implants achieve material properties comparable to bone. Materials and Methods Three cp‐Ti, Ti6Al4V and stainless steel (316L) porous metal specimen each with a pore size of 150 to 600 μm have been tested in respect to determine the Young’s Modulus E (GPa), Compression Strength (MPa) and Porosity (%) under axial compression. Results Young’s Modulus of the cp‐ Ti samples was in the range of 1.2 to 2.8 GPa, for Ti6Al4V 2.3 to 4.1 GPa could be achieved. Compression Strength for cp‐ Ti and Ti6Al4V ranged from 30 to 65 MPa with porosity values ranged from 71 to 80 %. Discussion The highly porous nature of VITOFOAM™ combined with the good biocompatibility of cp‐ Ti or Ti6Al4V and the mechanical properties make these materials ideal bone scaffolds. Trabecular bone shows pore sizes of 300–1500 μm, Young’s Modulus of 0.2–2 GPa and Compression Strength from 5–50 MPa. Porosity of spongious bone ranges from 30 to 95 %. These values are comparable to the values achieved with VITOFOAM™. Porous titanium foam with its osteoconductive properties may therefore be an ideal and cheap alternative. Implant costs can be lowered to 50 % for implants e.g. for intercorporal interbody fusion in spinal surgery. Actually further research is done to show the possibility in spinal surgery or loading technologies with Tricalciumphosphat, Hydroxylapatit, Antibiotics or Cytostatics.