Early Osseointegration of Implants with Cortex-like TiO2 Coatings Formed by Micro-arc Oxidation:A Histomorphometric Study in Rabbits

In our previous studies, a novel cortex-like Ti O2 coating was prepared on Ti surface through micro-arc oxidation（MAO） by using sodium tetraborate as electrolyte, and the effects of the coating on cell attachment were testified. This study aimed to investigate the effects of this cortex-like MAO coating on osseointegration. A sand-blasting and acid-etching（SLA） coating that has been widely used in clinical practice served as control. Topographical and chemical characterizations were conducted by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, contact angle meter, and step profiler. Results showed that the cortex-like coating had microslots and nanopores and it was superhydrophilic, whereas the SLA surface was hydrophobic. The roughness of MAO was similar to that of SLA. The MAO and SLA implants were implanted into the femoral condyles of New Zealand rabbits to evaluate their in-vivo performance through micro-CT, histological analysis, and fluorescent labeling at the bone-implant interface four weeks after surgery. The micro-CT showed that the bone volume ratio and mean trabecular thickness were similar between MAO and SLA groups four weeks after implantation. Histological analysis and fluorescent labeling showed no significant differences in the bone-implant contact between the MAO and SLA surfaces. It was suggested that with micro/nanostructure and superhydrophilicity, the cortex-like MAO coating causes excellent osseointegration, holding a promise of an application to implant modification.

Optimising soft tissue in-growth in vivo in additive layer manufactured osseointegrated transcutaneous implants

Osseointegrated transcutaneous implants could provide an alternative and improved means of attaching artificial limbs for amputees,however epithelial down growth,inflammation,and infections are common failure modalities associated with their use.To overcome these problems,a tight seal associated with the epidermal and dermal adhesion to the implant is crucial.This could be achieved with specific biomaterials(that mimic the surrounding tissue),or a tissue-specific design to enhance the proliferation and attachment of dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes.The intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis is a new device with a pylon and a flange,which is specifically designed for optimising soft tissue attachment.Previously the flange has been fabricated using traditional machining techniques,however,the advent of additive layer manufacturing(ALM)has enabled 3-dimensional porous flanges with specific pore sizes to be used to optimise soft tissue integration and reduce failure of osseointegrated transcutaneous implants.The study aimed to investigate the effect of ALM-manufactured porous flanges on soft tissue ingrowth and attachment in an in vivo ovine model that replicates an osseointegrated percutaneous implant.At 12 and 24 weeks,epithelial downgrowth,dermal attachment and revascularisation into ALM-manufactured flanges with three different pore sizes were compared with machined controls where the pores were made using conventional drilling.The pore sizes of the ALM flanges were 700,1000 and 1250μm.We hypothesised that ALM porous flanges would reduce downgrowth,improve soft tissue integration and revascularisation compared with machined controls.The results supported our hypothesis with significantly greater soft tissue integration and revascularisation in ALM porous flanges compared with machined controls.

Screening the Optimal Patterned Surfaces Consisting of Cell Morphology Mimicking Micro-pillars and Nanotube Arrays for the Design of Titanium Implants#br#

Micron/nano scale topographic modification has been a significant focus of interest in current titanium(Ti)surface design.However,the influence of micron/nano structured surface on cell or bacterium behavior on the Ti implant has rarely been systematically evaluated.Moreover,except for popular microgrooves,little work has been carried out on the reaction of cells to the bionic structure.In this study,several micro-pillars mimicking cell morphology were prepared on Ti surfaces by lithography and contact printing(ICP)method,and they were further decorated with nanotube arrays by anodization technology.These surface modifications remarkablly increased the surface roughness of pristine Ti surface from 91.17 nm±5.57 nm to be more than 1000 nm,and reduced their water contact angles from 68.3°±0.7°to be 16.9°±2.4°.Then,the effects of these hierarchical micron/nano scale patterns on the behaviors of MG63 osteoblasts,L929 fibroblasts,SCC epithelial cells and P.gingivalis were studied,aiming to evaluate their performance in osseointegration,gingival epithelial sealing and antibacterial ability.Through an innovative scoring strategy,our findings showed that square micro-pillars with 6μm width and 2μm height combined with 85 nm diameter nanotubes was suitable for implant neck design,while square micro-pillars with 3μm width and 3.6μm height combined with 55 nm diameter nanotubes was the best for implant body design.Our study reveals the synergistic effect of the hierarchical micron/nano scale patterns on MG63 osteoblasts,L929 fibroblasts,SCC epithelial cells and P.gingivalis functions.It provides insight into the design of biomedical implant surfaces.