Hybrid Ti6Al4V/Silk Fibroin Composite for Load-Bearing Implants: A Hierarchical Multifunctional Cellular Scaffold

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Metal additive manufacturing (AM) faces challenges in biomedical applications, particularly concerning osseointegration.
• Limitations in printing resolution and morphological accuracy hinder the design of optimized lattice structures for bone integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a hybrid multifunctional composite scaffold for improved osseointegration.
• To overcome limitations of current AM techniques for biomedical implants.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite scaffold using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) of Ti6Al4V lattice structures and silk fibroin/gelatin foam.
• Evaluation of pore size, morphology, distribution, and metal-polymer interface adhesion.
• Mechanical characterization via pull-out tests and preliminary cytotoxicity assessment.

Main Results:

• Characterization confirmed the scaffold's structural integrity and metal-polymer interface behavior.
• Mechanical testing provided insights into the composite's performance under dry and hydrated conditions.
• Cytotoxicity assessment indicated preliminary biocompatibility for potential medical device applications.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid composite scaffold offers a promising solution for enhancing osseointegration in biomedical implants.
• This approach addresses key limitations in AM for creating optimized structures for bone regeneration.
• The material shows potential for next-generation, load-bearing medical devices.