Researchers from Ontario-basedMohawk CollegeandMcMaster University已成为第一个研究钛合金TI-5553对3D印刷骨植入物的适用性的人。就目前而言，大多数3D打印的植入物都是使用TI64粉末创建的，但是研究团队想看看非常规合金的地形以及完全设计自由的形状是否可以鼓励骨整合 - 骨骼的成分 - 骨骼的成分。
Improving osseointegration
According to the study, certain compositional, topographical, and morphological modifications to bone implants have been known to increase the chances of osseointegration. When osseointegration occurs, bone implants are more likely to be successful in the long term as the growth of the bone cements them and improves structural integrity. With this in mind, the researchers moved forward, comparing Ti-5553 to the long-established Ti64 alloy.
Titanium alloy bone implants
AnEOSmetal 3D printer was used to manufacture geometrically simple samples of both titanium alloys with the SLM process. After fabrication, the researchers cleaned the samples in alcohol with the aid of ultrasound, removing all of the powder without altering the surface of the prints.
The Ti-5553 samples were first subjected to tensile strength testing using a universal testing machine. Cyclic loading was performed until the samples eventually fractured and the results were recorded in triplicate. Averages for the elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility were calculated for the alloy. The results showed tensile strengths almost identical to those of additively manufactured Ti64 parts, which were known prior to testing. The Ti-5553 specimens also displayed ductile fractures, indicating that the process parameters that the researchers tested were successful in producing a uniform structure in the build direction.
在确认其3D打印方法后，钛合金在机械上适用于医疗植入物，该团队测试了新合金的生物兼容性。SAOS-2（人骨）细胞在40V阳极氧化后，在TI64和TI-5553样品上均培养30分钟。一整天后，对细胞进行染色，干燥和准备以进行SEM观察，以确定合金表面的生物学活性水平。细胞在标本的扁平区域和部分内部的纳米管上显示出延伸和生长。研究人员得出的结论是，TI-5553标本的执行方式与已建立的TI64标本非常相似，这表明TI-5553作为3D印刷骨植入物材料具有强大的潜力。
Further details of the study can be found in the paper titled ‘Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr Bone Implants with Dual-Scale Topography: A Promising Alternative to Ti-6Al-4V’. It is co-authored byChiara Micheletti, Bryan E. J. Lee, Joseph Deering, Dakota M. Binkley, Simon Coulson, Asad Hussanain, Hatem Zurob and Kathryn Grandfield.
The 3D printing of medical implants is not limited to engineering-grade metal alloys. Last year,FossiLabs, a US-based medical 3D printing start-up, commenced work on itsFFF 3D printed bone-like scaffolding structuresusing the high-performance engineering polymer, PEEK. Elsewhere, on the ISS,3D Bioprinting Solutions, a Russian bio-technical research laboratory, 3D bioprinted bone tissue in zero gravity. Using the Organ.Aut 3D bioprinter, the lab’s researchers hope to one day createreal bone implants for astronaut transplantationon long interplanetary missions.
The nominations for the2020 3D印刷行业奖are now open. Who do you think should make the shortlists for this year’s show? Have your say now.
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Featured image shows the particles on the surface of the as-printed titanium samples. Image via McMaster University.
