A novel approach to prostheses optimization using advanced electron microscopy and additive manufacturing techniques

Abstract

Factors such as population aging and traffic accidents stand out as the main reasons for the growing interest of the scientific community in the study of bone substitutes. Despite being widely used in the clinical area, implant failures still occur and remain difficult to anticipate. In this sense, the study of the bone-implant interface emerges as a promising alternative to overcome this problem. The loosening of the bone-implant interface is an unsolved problem in the area, which needs more robust investigations. It is known that the success of the bone-implant connection depends on several aspects, such as chemical composition, porosity, the morphology of the implant surface, age, and bone quality of the patient. In this context, osseointegration - defined by the structural and functional connection between the bone and the implant surface - is considered fundamental for this technology's improvement. Therefore, the present work aims to propose a new approach to prostheses improvement using bioinspired strategies. For this, the bone-implant interface will be explored with a focus on the dynamics of osseointegration through the use of modern Electron Microscopy techniques. Furthermore, the experimental study of trabecular bone microstructure by Computed Microtomography and prototyping with Additive Manufacturing will allow the improvement of biomimetic design translations. (AU)