Titanium in Medical Applications (Part II)

Titanium is a well-established material of choice for demanding medical applications such as replacement joints, bone screws and plates, dental implants, and surgical components due to its biocompatibility, resistance to attack by body fluids, high fatigue strength, and low modulus.

Rahul Bhola, a research assistant representing the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, will discuss the study of modification of oxides formed on titanium beta alloys by calcium and phosphorous to enhance osteo-integration for implant applications.

According to an abstract of his presentation, the study explores the possibility of calcium and phosphorous ion implantation into the oxide films formed on two beta titanium alloys – Ti-15Mo and Ti-45Nb – during oxide film growth and aging. Potentiodynamic polarization method was used to grow oxide films on these alloys up to a final potential of 5V vs. SCE, following which the oxide films formed were allowed to age potentiostatically at the final potential until the current became stationary. The alloys anodized in these solutions were studied for their electrochemical behavior in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization.

Interviewed recently, Bhola says the study is ongoing, with various types of modified implants undergoing research trials. Citing potential benefits for modified medical implants, he says that since the titanium beta alloys possess low modulus of elasticity and better cellular attachment properties, they have potential applications as new biomaterials for all types of implant systems.

Real-world applications include osteo-integration titanium implants for trauma and bone fractures, as well as a variety of implants such as endo-osseous screw-shaped dental implants, anchor screws, hip joints, knee joints, and long-bone stems, Bhola says.

François Ory, president of Forécreu SA, will discuss the art of processing titanium alloys into cannulated bars for trauma applications. Based in Chemin de Saint Amand, France, Forécreu designs, manufactures, and markets hollow-round titanium and special steel bars for surgical tools and implants. Ory will focus on how to achieve the required dimensional features and mechanical characteristics specified by the medical industry for trauma applications.

Ulf Ackelid, Ph.D., senior scientist, powders and materials, at Arcam AB, Molndal, Sweden, will review improved production rates in additive manufacturing with its Electron Beam Melting (EBM) MultiBeam technology. Arcam’s EBM technology builds fully dense metal parts, layer by layer, from metal powder using an electron beam. Parts are built in a vacuum chamber by additive consolidation of thin layers of metal powder. The EBM technology provides expanded freedom in design of complex, 3D geometries, such as fine-network structures, internal cavities, and channels. The EBM production route delivers full traceability from ingot to the final part, complying with the industry-driven standards for medical.

The International Titanium Association (ITA), based in Broomfield, CO, serves as the host and sponsor of TITANIUM 2010, which is designed to suit the needs of titanium producers, suppliers, customers, and stakeholders. Jennifer Simpson is the executive director of the ITA. Call 303.404.2221 or visit titanium.org for more information on the conference.