Scope

The aim of this project is the development of novel implantable structures used to replace or augment missing tissues, using Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) technologies with customized surface treatments for improved osseointegration, achieving better biological response with shorter healing time. The main advantage offered by ALM is that it allows the manufacture of a metallic partas a whole, rather than having to produce individual components and assemble them to create the final product. The intrinsic surface roughness of the products made by these techniques has already been proven to be highly beneficial to osseointegration. We will widen this advantage by well beyond the state of the art in this area by further introducing a micron-scale roughness, which is a new subject being developed today. A synergistic bi-modal roughness will boost the cells proliferation, reducing the healing to probably a half of that expected today. We proved that by making a comparison between the performances of devices produced by Electron Beam Melting (EBM) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technologies having traditional and innovative surface treatments. The project involved the use of the traditional alloys (Ti-alloys). Different design of roughnesses have been tested on implants surfaces for anatomical regions that have different mechanical and surface properties requirements. The influence of process parameters and surface treatments on the critical performance characteristics of the final part has been assessed and optimized. The biological characterization involves both the investigation of the reduced bacterial adhesion in correspondence to an improved osteointegration due to the fabrication and post-processing optimization.