Researchers from Skoltech, National University of Science and Technology MISIS, and Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University shared results of their new study exploring permeability of biomimetic implants. The paper is published in the International Journal of Bioprinting.
Properties of biomimetic implants are similar to those of real organs and tissues. By reproducing the structure and mechanical characteristics of atrophied tissues and organs, biomimetic implants engraft better. It helps improve patients’ rehabilitation after operations.
The leading author of the study, a PhD student from the Materials Center at Skoltech, Stanislav Chernyshikhin highlights biomimetic implants: “If mechanical response of an implant does not match properties of the bone tissue in the places of their connection, — for example, if the implant is stiffer, — the bone carries less load and the tissue, according to the Wolff’s law, becomes brittle.”
In a series of studies, the research team addresses a comprehensive task and develops a biomimetic implant made of a nickel-titanium alloy, which demonstrates superelasticity. The stress-strain curves of a real bone and this material in the superelastic state are almost similar, but nickel-titanium is stiffer. To achieve compliance, the porosity was introduced to the material: “Previously, researchers used such methods as self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. Now, we have 3D printing technologies that made a revolution. Through the selective laser melting, we can build an ordered porous structure, analyze its mechanical characteristics and control them in the future — adjust mechanical properties of the implant to the patient’s bone by varying its porosity and the size of pores at the design stage. An added value of the approach is that we can model and produce implants with gradient porous structure. If we need a stronger structure, we can reduce its porosity, and vice versa,” expands Stanislav Chernyshikhin.
The new paper introduces original research findings on permeability of future implants made of the nickel-titanium alloy. Permeability is crucial for transporting nutrients in the bone.
“For the implant to function properly, it has to transport substances through internal channels. Currently, research focuses mostly on mechanical characteristics of the implant, but functionality is not only bound by the load. We suggest developing this approach and working on other properties, too. In this study, we explore permeability,” says Aleksei Shiverskii, a study co-author and a PhD student at Skoltech.
Using selective laser melting, the research team obtained porous structures based on the elementary gyroid cell and measured their permeability for pores of different sizes and various degrees of porosity. The theoretical model for permeability analysis was developed by Biltu Mahato, a PhD student at Skoltech, in collaboration with experts from other leading research institutions in their previous study: “We used a theoretical model with high accuracy for fibrous laminate, which has similar Darcy’s flow.” The model was experimentally verified by Aleksei Shiverskii. Afterwards, researchers proceeded to test the printed implants for biocompatibility.