3D Printed Porous Ceramic Implants Infiltrated with Biodegradable Biopolymer Composites for Improved Mechanical and Biofunctional Behaviour

Description

The incidence of fractures and bone defects has been a significant driving force behind research efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of life for patients. However, it is important to acknowledge the inherent complexities of this research field. Where each patient could have different scenarios along with the difficulty of replicate the properties and complex design of the bones. In this study, scaffolds previously manufactured by different 3D printing techniques made of ceramic materials, specifically yttria-stabilised zirconia, which has excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties, were used. These samples, which exhibit different designs to be employed in specific medical situation, have been characterised according to his morphology and porosity; using the outcomes for select the most promising for subsequent infiltration with appropriate biopolymers in order to improve their in vivo performance. Specifically oriented towards improve the osseointegration capacity by adding nanohydroxyapatite (nHA). The infiltrated samples were evaluated in terms of polymer degradation inside the composite, swelling evaluation, and studies of apatite formation capacity on the surface (bioactivity) assessed through XRD.

Abstract

Selected work from the X Workshop in R&D+i & 2nd International Workshop on STEM of EPS

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