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Additively manufactured biodegradable porous zinc
Y Li1, P Pavanram2, J Zhou1
1Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2628 CD, the Netherlands.
Acta Biomaterialia
|November 2, 2019
Summary
Additively manufactured porous zinc shows promising biodegradability and biocompatibility for bone substitution. This novel material maintained and even improved its mechanical properties over four weeks, indicating potential for bone defect regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Engineering
- Orthopedic Research
Background:
- Additively manufacturing (AM) enables the creation of biodegradable metals with desirable properties for bone substitution.
- Zinc is a promising biomaterial due to its biodegradation rate and biocompatibility.
- Limited data exists on the biodegradability and biocompatibility of topologically ordered AM porous zinc.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize topologically ordered AM porous zinc using powder bed fusion.
- To investigate the biodegradation behavior, mechanical properties, electrochemical performance, and biocompatibility of AM porous zinc in vitro.
- To assess the potential of AM porous zinc as a bone substituting material.
Main Methods:
- Powder bed fusion (selective laser melting) was used to fabricate porous zinc with a diamond structure.
- In vitro biodegradation studies were conducted for up to 4 weeks in a revised simulated body fluid.
- Mechanical properties, electrochemical performance, and cytotoxicity (ISO 10,993-5, -12) were evaluated.
- Cell viability was assessed using live-dead staining with MG-63 cells.
Main Results:
- Porous zinc scaffolds exhibited a weight loss of 7.8% after 4 weeks of dynamic immersion.
- Biodegradation mechanisms were site-dependent.
- Elastic modulus values (700-1000 MPa) increased over 4 weeks, remaining within the range of cancellous bone.
- Indirect cytotoxicity tests showed good cellular activity up to 72 hours.
- Live-dead staining confirmed good viability of MG-63 cells on the scaffolds.
Conclusions:
- Topologically ordered AM porous zinc demonstrates favorable biodegradation and biocompatibility.
- The material's mechanical properties are stable and suitable for bone substitution applications.
- AM porous zinc offers a promising multifunctional material for regenerating critical-size load-bearing bone defects.
