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Surface adhered titanium particles on 3D printed off-the-shelf acetabular cups
Arya Nicum1, Anna Di Laura2,3, Harry Hothi2,3
1The Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, London, Stanmore, UK.
Summary
Unused 3D printed acetabular cups contain surface particles, with Selective Laser Melting (SLM) implants showing more particles than Electron Beam Melting (EBM) implants. Smaller particles in SLM cups may pose a risk of in-vivo breakage.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomaterials engineering
- Additive manufacturing
Background:
- 3D printing is increasingly used for orthopedic implants, creating complex porous structures for better bone fixation.
- A common issue with 3D printed implants is the presence of adhered particles on porous surfaces, posing removal challenges.
- These particles may impact implant performance and patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence, frequency, and characteristics of surface adhered particles in unused 3D printed acetabular cups.
- To compare particle contamination between implants manufactured using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of unused acetabular cups from five manufacturers.
- Utilized Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for high-resolution imaging.
- Employed image analysis software to quantify particle frequency and diameter.
Main Results:
- Surface adhered particles were detected in the porous regions of all analyzed implants.
- Implants manufactured via SLM exhibited a higher particle density (particles/mm²) compared to EBM implants.
- SLM cups had smaller particle diameters than EBM cups, with potentially lower adherence, raising concerns about in-vivo fragmentation.
Conclusions:
- 3D printed acetabular cups, regardless of manufacturer, harbor adhered particles within their porous structures.
- Manufacturing method significantly influences particle contamination, with SLM showing higher particle counts and smaller diameters than EBM.
- The characteristics of particles on SLM implants warrant further investigation regarding potential clinical implications, such as in-vivo breakage and adverse tissue reactions.
