Development of customized mandible prosthesis produced by additive manufacturing and functionalized for local drug delivery

Abstract

The additive manufacturing technique, when based on medical imaging techniques, can produce physical biomodels and customized implants. The technique can also produce complex structures, such as cellular structures, using metallic biomaterials, such as a Ti-6Al-4V alloy, as raw material. Therefore, better conformity of bone and implant stiffness is achieved, bypassing the bone resorption (stress shielding) process and promoting faster and longer lasting adaptation. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy may also have its surface modified by the anodizing technique. As a result, functionalizations by improving corrosion resistance, incorporation of beneficial ions and drug incorporation for in situ delivery become possible. The combination of these techniques results in reduced surgery risks, faster patient recovery, longer implant durability, better aesthetic and ergonomic results and, above all, improvement in patient's quality of life.This project aims to produce a Ti-6Al-4V mandible implant with functionalized cellular structure. Thus, Ti-6Al-4V samples with cellular structures will be produced by metals additive manufacturing technique. These samples will be functionalized by electrochemical anodization technique, growing nanostructured oxide surfaces doped with fluorine ions. A second functionalization will also be performed by doping these nanostructures with drugs for in situ delivering. Finally, a mandible implant will be designed, produced and functionalized.This project is linked to National Institute of Science and Technology of Biofabrication presented under the INCT - MCTI/CNPq/CAPES/FAPs nº 16/2014 call, to FAPESP research project 2015/20630-4 and to FAPESP-FAPERGS 2019/15441-9. Furthermore, this project is in collaboration with Information Technology Center Renato Archer. (AU)