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µXRF Elemental Mapping of Bioresorbable Magnesium-Based Implants in Bone
Anna Turyanskaya1, Mirjam Rauwolf2, Tilman A Grünewald3
1Atominstitut, TU Wien, Stadionallee 2, Vienna 1020, Austria. anna.turyanskaya@ati.ac.at.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 5, 2017
Summary
Magnesium (Mg) implants show element-specific degradation. Magnesium does not accumulate in bone, but yttrium (Y) migrates into surrounding tissues, raising potential health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Medical Device Degradation
- Elemental Analysis in Bone Tissue
Background:
- Mg-based implants are promising for bone regeneration.
- Understanding elemental distribution during degradation is crucial for safety.
- Yttrium (Y) is a common additive in Mg alloys, but its long-term effects are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and accumulation of magnesium (Mg) and yttrium (Y) in rat bone tissue around degrading Mg-based implants.
- To assess the element-specific migration patterns of degradation products over time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized micro X-ray fluorescence analysis (μXRF) on rat bone sections.
- Analyzed samples at various time points (1-18 months) post-implantation.
- Employed a specialized spectrometer for low-Z element detection.
Main Results:
- Magnesium (Mg) showed a sharp decrease near the implant interface with no significant accumulation in adjacent bone.
- Yttrium (Y) demonstrated progressive migration into the bone tissue over time.
- Yttrium (Y) remained detectable in bone even after complete implant degradation.
Conclusions:
- Degradation product migration is element-dependent.
- Mg poses minimal risk of accumulation in bone tissue.
- Yttrium's persistent presence in bone warrants further investigation into its potential adverse health effects.
