The influence of pore size on osteoblast phenotype expression in cultures grown on porous titanium

This study investigated the effect of pore size on osteoblastic phenotype development in cultures grown on porous titanium (Ti). Porous Ti discs with three different pore sizes, 312 mu m (Ti 312), 130 mu m (Ti 130) and 62 mu m (Ti 62) were fabricated using a powder metallurgy process. Osteoblastic cells obtained from human alveolar bone were cultured on porous Ti samples for periods of up to 14 days. Cell proliferation was affected by pore size at day 3 (p = 0.0010), day 7 (p = 0.0005) and day 10 (p = 0.0090) in the following way: Ti 62 < Ti 130 < Ti 312. Gene expression of bone markers evaluated at 14 days was affected, RUNX2 (p = 0.0153), ALP (p = 0.0153), BSP (p = 0.0156), COL (p = 0.0156), and OPN (p = 0.0156) by pore size as follows: Ti 312 < Ti 130 < Ti 62. Based on these results, the authors suggest that porous Ti surfaces with pore sizes near 62 mu m, compared with those of 312 mu m and 130 mu m, yield the highest expression of osteoblast phenotype as indicated by the lower cell proliferation rate and higher gene expression of bone markers.

Novel production method of porous surface Ti samples for biomedical application

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of sintering temperature on morphology and mechanical characteristics of 3D printed porous titanium used as dental implant

Porous titanium samples were manufactured using the 3D printing and sintering method in order to determine the effects of final sintering temperature on morphology and mechanical properties. Cylindrical samples were printed and split into groups according to a final sintering temperature (FST). Irregular geometry samples were also printed and split into groups according to their FST. The cylindrical samples were used to determine part shrinkage, in compressive tests to provide stress-strain data, in microCT scans to provide internal morphology data and for optical microscopy to determine surface morphology. All of the samples were used in microhardness testing to establish the hardness. Below 1100 C FST, shrinkage was in the region of 20% but increased to approximately 30% by a FST of 1300 C. Porosity varied from a maximum of approximately 65% at the surface to the region of 30% internally. Between 97 and 99% of the internal porosity is interconnected. Average pore size varied between 24 µm at the surface and 19 µm internally. Sample hardness increased to in excess of 300 HV0.05 with increasing FST while samples with an FST of below 1250 C produced an elastic-brittle stress/strain curve and samples above this displayed elastic-plastic behaviour. Yield strength increased significantly through the range of sintering temperatures while the Young's modulus remained fairly consistent. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Analysis of the compressive behaviour of the three-dimensional printed porous titanium for dental implants using a modified cellular solid model

A set of cylindrical porous titanium test samples were produced using the three-dimensional printing and sintering method with samples sintered at 900 °C, 1000 °C, 1100 °C, 1200 °C or 1300 °C. Following compression testing, it was apparent that the stress-strain curves were similar in shape to the curves that represent cellular solids. This is despite a relative density twice as high as what is considered the threshold for defining a cellular solid. As final sintering temperature increased, the compressive behaviour developed from being elastic-brittle to elastic-plastic and while Young's modulus remained fairly constant in the region of 1.5 GPa, there was a corresponding increase in 0.2% proof stress of approximately 40-80 MPa. The cellular solid model consists of two equations that predict Young's modulus and yield or proof stress. By fitting to experimental data and consideration of porous morphology, appropriate changes to the geometry constants allow modification of the current models to predict with better accuracy the behaviour of porous materials with higher relative densities (lower porosity).

Porous titanium for biomedical applications: An experimental study on rabbits

Objective: The aim of this study was to carry out an in vivo assessment of bone ingrowth in two different types of porous titanium -the first being completely porous, and the second with a porous surface and dense nucleus, manufactured by powder metallurgy- and to evaluate their mechanical properties. Study design: Ten scaffolds from each group were submitted to metallographic analysis and compression tests. Next, two scaffolds of each type were inserted into 14 rabbits, which were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery. The samples were submitted for histological examination. Results: Metallographic analysis revealed interconnected pores, and the average interconnected pore diameter was about 360 mm, with 36% total porosity. The totally porous titanium samples and the titanium samples with porous surface and dense nucleus showed an average compressive strength of 16.19 MPa and 69.27 MPa, respectively. After 8 weeks, the animals showed bone ingrowth, even into the most internal pores. Conclusions: The pore morphology was effective in permitting bone ingrowth in both groups. Titanium scaffolds with a porous surface and dense nucleus showed the best mechanical properties and most adequate interface.

Porous titanium scaffolds produced by powder metallurgy for biomedical applications

Porous titanium scaffolds are promising materials for biomedical applications such as prosthetic anchors, fillers and bone reconstruction. This study evaluated the bone/titanium interface of scaffolds with interconnected pores prepared by powder metallurgy, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Porous scaffolds and dense samples were implanted in the tibia of rabbits, which were subsequently killed 1, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery. Initial bone neoformation was observed one week after implantation. Bone ingrowth in pores and the Ca/P ratio at the interface were remarkably enhanced at 4 and 8 weeks. The results showed that the interconnected pores of the titanium scaffolds promoted bone ingrowth, which increased over time. The powder metallurgy technique thus proved effective in producing porous scaffolds and dense titanium for biomedical applications, allowing for adequate control of pore size and porosity and promoting bone ingrowth.

In vivo evaluation of porous titanium implants with biomimetic coating

The osseointegration of porous titanium implants was evaluated in the present work. Implants were fabricated from ASTM grade 2 titanium by a powder metallurgy method. Part of these implants were submitted to chemical and thermal treatment in order to deposit a biomimetic coating, aiming to evaluate its influence on the osseointegration of the implants. The implants were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Raman Spectroscopy. Three coated and three control (uncoated) implants were surgically inserted into thirty albino rabbits' left and right tibiae, respectively. Tibiae samples were submitted to histological and histomorphometric analyses, utilizing SEM, optical microscopy and mechanical tests. EDS results indicated calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) at the surface and Raman spectra exhibited an intense peak, characteristic of hydroxyapatite (HA). Bone neoformation was detected at the bone-implant interface and inside the pores, including the central ones. The mean bone neoformation percentage in the coated implants was statistically higher at 15 days, compared to 30 and 45 days. The mechanical tests showed that coated implants presented higher resistance to displacement, especially after 30 and 45 days.

Evaluation of bone ingrowth into porous titanium implant: Histomorphometric analysis in rabbits

A porous material for bone ingrowth with adequate pore structure and appropriate mechanical properties has long been sought as the ideal bone-implant interface. This study aimed to assess in vivo the influence of three types of porous titanium implant on the new bone ingrowth. The implants were produced by means of a powder metallurgy technique with different porosities and pore sizes: Group 1 = 30% and 180 μm; Group 2 = 30% and 300 μm; and Group 3 = 40% and 180 μm. Six rabbits received one implant of each type in the right and left tibiae and were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery for histological and histomor-phometric analyses. Histological analysis confirmed new bone in contact with the implant, formed in direction of pores. Histomorphometric evaluation demonstrated that the new bone formation was statistically significantly lower in the group G1 than in group G3, (P = 0.023). Based on these results, increased porosity and pore size were concluded to have a positive effect on the amount of bone ingrowth.

Osteoblast response to porous titanium and biomimetic surface: In vitro analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Processing of highly porous titanium parts by metal injection moulding in combination with innovative plasma treatment

A combinação da Moldagem por Injeção de pós Metálicos (Metal Injection Moulding MIM) e o Método do Retentor Espacial (Space Holder Method - SHM) é uma técnica promissora para fabricação de peças porosas de titânio com porosidade bem definida como implantes biomédicos, uma vez que permite um alto grau de automatização e redução dos custos de produção em larga escala quando comparado a técnica tradicional (SHM e usinagem a verde). Contudo a aplicação desta técnica é limitada pelo fato que há o fechamento parcial da porosidade na superfície das amostras, levando ao deterioramento da fixação do implante ao osso. E além disso, até o presente momento não foi possível atingir condições de processamento estáveis quando a quantidade de retentor espacial excede 50 vol. %. Entretanto, a literatura descreve que a melhor faixa de porosidade para implantes de titânio para coluna vertebral está entre 60 - 65 vol. %. Portanto, no presente estudo, duas abordagens foram conduzidas visando a produção de amostras altamente porosas através da combinação de MIM e SHM com o valor constante de retentor espacial de 70 vol. % e uma porosidade aberta na superfície. Na primeira abordagem, a quantidade ótima de retentor espacial foi investigada, para tal foram melhorados a homogeneização do feedstock e os parâmetros de processo com o propósito de permitir a injeção do feedstock. Na segunda abordagem, tratamento por plasma foi aplicado nas amostras antes da etapa final de sinterização. Ambas rotas resultaram na melhoria da estabilidade dimensional das amostras durante a extração térmica do ligante e sinterização, permitindo a sinterização de amostras de titânio altamente porosas sem deformação da estrutura.

Bone Formation Following Implantation of Titanium Sponge Rods into Humeral Osteotomies in Dogs: A Histological and Histometrical Study

Background: Titanium (Ti) is widely proven to enhance bone contact and growth on its surface. It is expected that bone defects could benefit from Ti to promote healing and to increase strength of the implanted area. Purpose: The present study aimed at comparing the potential of porous Ti sponge rods with synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) for the healing of bone defects in a canine model. Material and Methods: Six mongrel dogs were submitted to three trephined osteotomies of 6.0 x 4.0 mm in one humerus and after 2 months another three osteotomies were performed in the contralateral humerus. A total of 36 defects were randomly filled either with Ti foam, particulate HA, or coagulum (control). The six animals were killed 4 months after the first surgery for histological and histometrical analysis. Results: The Ti-foam surface was frequently found in intimate contact with new bone especially at the defect walls. Control sites showed higher amounts of newly formed bone at 2 months - Ti (p = 0.000) and HA (p = 0.009) - and 4 months when compared with Ti (p = 0.001). Differently from HA, the Ti foam was densely distributed across the defect area which rendered less space for bone growth in the latter`s sites. The use of Ti foams or HA resulted in similar amounts of bone formation in both time intervals. Nevertheless, the presence of a Ti-foam rod preserved defect`s marginal bone height as compared with control groups. Also, the Ti-foam group showed a more mature bone pattern at 4 months than HA sites. Conclusion: The Ti foam exhibited good biocompatibility, and its application resulted in improved maintenance of bone height compared with control sites. The Ti foam in a rod design exhibited bone ingrowth properties suitable for further exploration in other experimental situations.

Powder processing and In Vivo evaluation of a titanium porous coating implant

The processing of titanium porous coatings using powder metallurgy technique to achieve a porous structure that allows osseointegration with bone tissue was discussed. The porous microstructure exhibited micropores and interconnected macropores with size ranges that allowed bone ingrowth. The macropores in the coatings were originated from the binder evaporation while the micropore was related with the porous titanium powder and the low compaction pressure used. The in vivo evaluation indicated that osseointegration had occurred between the bone and porous material.

Ensaio de citotoxicidade osteoblástica em amostras porosas das ligas Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-13Nb-13Zr, Ti-35Nb, Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta e TiCP

Pós-graduação em Biopatologia Bucal - ICT

Characterization of a new beta titanium alloy, Ti-12Mo-3Nb, for biomedical applications

In recent years, different beta titanium alloys have been developed for biomedical applications with a combination of mechanical properties including a low Young's modulus, high strength, fatigue resistance and good ductility with excellent corrosion resistance. From this perspective, a new metastable beta titanium Ti-12Mo-3Nb alloy was developed with the replacement of both vanadium and aluminum from the traditional Ti-6Al-4V alloy. This paper presents the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the Ti-12Mo-3Nb alloy heat-treated at 950 degrees C for 1 h. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction and by scanning electron microscopy. Tensile tests were carried out at room temperature. Corrosion tests were performed using Ringer's solution at 25 degrees C. The results showed that this alloy could potentially be used for biomedical purposes due to its good mechanical properties and spontaneous passivation. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.