High wear resistance of femoral components coated with titanium nitride: a retrieval analysis.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo wear resistance of cobalt-chromium femoral components coated with titanium nitride (TiN). Our null hypothesis was that the surface damage and the thickness of the TiN coating do not correlate with the time in vivo. METHODS: Twenty-five TiN-coated bicondylar femoral retrievals with a mean implantation period of 30.7 ± 11.7 months were subjected to an objective surface damage analysis with a semi-quantitative assessment method. A visual examination of scratches, indentations, notches and coating breakthroughs of the surfaces was performed. The roughness and the coating thickness of the TiN coating were evaluated in the main articulation regions. RESULTS: Narrow scratches and indentations in the range of low flexion angles on the retrieval surfaces were the most common modes of damage. There was no evidence of delamination on the articulation surface but rather at the bottom of isolated severe indentations or notches. An analysis of three retrievals revealed a coating breakthrough in the patellofemoral joint region, resulting from patella maltracking and a dislocation. The arithmetical mean roughness of the TiN surface slightly increased with the implantation period. In contrast, the maximum peak height of the roughness profile was reduced at the condyles of the retrieved components in comparison with new, unused surfaces. No significant association between the coating thickness and implantation period was determined. Moreover, the measured values were retained in the range of the initial coating thickness even after several years of in vivo service. CONCLUSIONS: As was demonstrated by the results of this study, the surface damage to the TiN coating did not deteriorate with the implantation period. The calculated damage scores and the measured coating thickness in particular both confirmed that the TiN coating provides low wear rates. Our findings support the use of wear-resistant TiN-coated components in total knee arthroplasty with the objective of reducing the risk of aseptic loosening. However, in terms of TiN-coated femoral components, particular attention should be paid to a correct patellar tracking in order to avoid wear propagation at the implant.

[Measurement of the Strength of Human Musculus Orbicularis Oculi Using Video Analysis]. / Messaufbau zur videoanalysebasierten Bestimmung der Lidschlusskraft des humanen Musculus orbicularis oculi.

Introduction Current methods to measure the of strength of the musculus orbicularis oculi are limited by high proneness to examiner error or by their complex and impracticable set-ups. Our aim was to develop a simple and practicable method to measure eye lid power via video analysis. Methods 50 healthy subjects were included. A deformable single use lid speculum was used. Forced maximum lid closure was recorded via a video slit lamp. Analysis of the video data was performed with open source tracking software. The maximum and minimum distances of the inserted lid speculum were detected. The rigidity and mechanical characteristics of the lid speculum were tested separately. In this way, lid power could be determined by analysis of the maximum compression of the lid speculum. To explore the impact of age and sex on eye lid power, Pearson's correlation coefficient was evaluated. ICC (intra class correlation) was analysed as a measure of reliability. Results In three repeated measurements in 9 subjects, an ICC of α = 0.91 was detected. With 50 healthy subjects, the range of lid power was 0.62 - 4.72 N. No correlation was found between the age of the subjects and eyelid power (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.054). A weak correlation was found between the sex of the subjects and eyelid power. For female subjects, the mean power was 1.82 N and for male subjects 2.58 N (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.428). Discussion A test series of 50 healthy subjects exhibited a wide range of lid power. The wide range makes it difficult to distinguish between pathological and normal eyelid power. The major application field of the method may therefore be in inner-individual measurements of known eyelid pathologies, such as paresis of the facial nerve or ocular myasthenia.

Experimental testing of total knee replacements with UHMW-PE inserts: impact of severe wear test conditions.

Aseptic implant loosening due to inflammatory reactions to wear debris is the main reason for the revision of total knee replacements (TKR). Hence, the decrease in polyethylene wear particle generation from the articulating surfaces is aimed at improving implant design and material. For preclinical testing of new TKR systems standardized wear tests are required. However, these wear tests do not reproduce the entire in vivo situation, since the pattern and amount of wear and subsequent implant failure are underestimated. Therefore, daily activity, kinematics, implant aging and position, third-body-wear and surface properties have to be considered to estimate the wear of implant components in vivo. Hence, severe test conditions are in demand for a better reproduction of the in vivo situation of TKR. In the present article an overview of different experimental wear test scenarios considering clinically relevant polyethylene wear situations using severe test conditions is presented.

The Divergence of Wear Propagation and Stress at Steep Acetabular Cup Positions Using Ceramic Heads and Sequentially Cross-Linked Polyethylene Liners.

The aim of the present wear simulator study was to assess the effect of steep acetabular cup positions on the wear propagation of highly cross-linked-PE (HX-PE) liners. Furthermore, a finite element analysis (FEA) was performed in order to calculate the stress within the HX-PE material in case of steep cup positions under physiological loadings. The higher stress in the HX-PE at a steep acetabular cup position did not result in increased wear in the present wear simulator study. The gravimetrical wear rates at normal (45°) and steep cup inclinations (75°) showed wear amounts of 3.15±0.27mg and 2.18±0.31mg per million cycles (p=0.028), respectively. However, FEA revealed clear increase in stress at the HX-PE liners with respect to steep cup positions.

Evaluation of osseointegration of titanium alloyed implants modified by plasma polymerization.

By means of plasma polymerization, positively charged, nanometre-thin coatings can be applied to implant surfaces. The aim of the present study was to quantify the adhesion of human bone cells in vitro and to evaluate the bone ongrowth in vivo, on titanium surfaces modified by plasma polymer coatings. Different implant surface configurations were examined: titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) coated with plasma-polymerized allylamine (PPAAm) and plasma-polymerized ethylenediamine (PPEDA) versus uncoated. Shear stress on human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells was investigated in vitro using a spinning disc device. Furthermore, bone-to-implant contact (BIC) was evaluated in vivo. Custom-made conical titanium implants were inserted at the medial tibia of female Sprague-Dawley rats. After a follow-up of six weeks, the BIC was determined by means of histomorphometry. The quantification of cell adhesion showed a significantly higher shear stress for MG-63 cells on PPAAm and PPEDA compared to uncoated Ti6Al4V. Uncoated titanium alloyed implants showed the lowest BIC (40.4%). Implants with PPAAm coating revealed a clear but not significant increase of the BIC (58.5%) and implants with PPEDA a significantly increased BIC (63.7%). In conclusion, plasma polymer coatings demonstrate enhanced cell adhesion and bone ongrowth compared to uncoated titanium surfaces.

Wear testing and particle characterisation of sequentially crosslinked polyethylene acetabular liners using different femoral head sizes.

Larger femoral heads lead to a decreased risk of total hip dislocation and an improved range of motion. However, the larger diameter is associated with increased wear rates. The low wear rates of crosslinked polyethylene opens up the possibility of using larger heads. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the wear of conventional non-crosslinked versus sequentially crosslinked polyethylene liners in combination with different ceramic head sizes (28, 36, 44 mm). Wear testing was performed in a hip simulator according to ISO 14242. Wear particles from the polyethylene liners were characterized after wear testing. The wear measurements revealed a significant increase in the wear of crosslinked polyethylene liners with larger heads. By sequential crosslinking, however, the gravimetric wear using larger heads was reduced to a fractional amount of the wear using conventional polyethylene. Significant differences were observed for particle morphology but not for the number of particles when comparing non-crosslinked and crosslinked polyethylene.

In vivo examination of the local inflammatory response after implantation of Ti6Al4V samples with a combined low-temperature plasma treatment using pulsed magnetron sputtering of copper and plasma-polymerized ethylenediamine.

Copper (Cu) could serve as antibacterial coating for Ti6Al4V implants. An additional cell-adhesive layer might compensate Cu cytotoxicity. This study aimed at in vitro and in vivo evaluation of low-temperature plasma treatment of Ti6Al4V plates with Ti/Cu magnetron sputtering (Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu), plasma-polymerized ethylenediamine (Ti6Al4V-PPEDA), or both (Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA). Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu and Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA had comparable in vitro Cu release and antibacterial effectiveness. Following intramuscular implantation of Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu, Ti6Al4V-PPEDA, Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA and Ti6Al4V controls for 7, 14 and 56 days with 8 rats/day, peri-implant tissue was immunohistochemically examined for different inflammatory cells. Ti6Al4V-PPEDA had more mast cells and NK cells than Ti6Al4V, and more tissue macrophages, T lymphocytes, mast cells and NK cells than Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA. Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu had more mast cells than Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA. Results indicate that PPEDA-mediated cell adhesion counteracted Cu cytotoxicity. Ti6Al4V-Ti/Cu-PPEDA differed from Ti6Al4V only for mast cells on day 56. Altogether, implants with both plasma treatments had antibacterial properties and did not increase inflammatory reactions.

A model of implant-associated infection in the tibial metaphysis of rats.

OBJECTIVE: Implant-associated infections remain serious complications in orthopaedic and trauma surgery. A main scientific focus has thus been drawn to the development of anti-infective implant coatings. Animal models of implant-associated infections are considered helpful in the in vivo testing of new anti-infective implant coatings. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a novel animal model for generation of implant-associated infections in the tibial metaphysis of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A custom-made conical implant made of Ti6Al4V was inserted bilaterally at the medial proximal tibia of 26 female Sprague-Dawley rats. Staphylococcus aureus in amounts spanning four orders of magnitude and each suspended in 15 µ l phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was inoculated into the inner cavity of the implant after the implantation into the defined position. Controls were treated accordingly with PBS alone. Animals were then followed for six weeks until sacrifice. Implant-associated infection was evaluated by microbiological investigation using swabs and determination of viable bacteria in the bone around the implant and the biofilm on the implants after sonification. RESULTS: Irrespective of the initial inoculum, all animals in the various groups harbored viable bacteria in the intraoperative swabs as well as the sonication fluid of the implant and the bone samples. No correlation could be established between initially inoculated CFU and population sizes on implant surfaces at sacrifice. However, a significantly higher viable count was observed from peri-implant bone samples for animals inoculated with 10(6) CFU. Macroscopic signs of animal infection (pus and abscess formation) were only observed for implants inoculated with at least 10(5) CFU S. aureus. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the feasibility of this novel animal model to induce an implant-associated infection in the metaphysis of rats, even with comparatively low bacterial inocula. The specific design of the implant allows an application of bacteria in reproducible numbers at well-defined contact sites to the animal bone.

Analysis of the release characteristics of cu-treated antimicrobial implant surfaces using atomic absorption spectrometry.

New developments of antimicrobial implant surfaces doped with copper (Cu) ions may minimize the risk of implant-associated infections. However, experimental evaluation of the Cu release is influenced by various test parameters. The aim of our study was to evaluate the Cu release characteristics in vitro according to the storage fluid and surface roughness. Plasma immersion ion implantation of Cu (Cu-PIII) and pulsed magnetron sputtering process of a titanium copper film (Ti-Cu) were applied to titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) samples with different surface finishing of the implant material (polished, hydroxyapatite and corundum blasted). The samples were submersed into either double-distilled water, human serum, or cell culture medium. Subsequently, the Cu concentration in the supernatant was measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. The test fluid as well as the surface roughness can alter the Cu release significantly, whereby the highest Cu release was determined for samples with corundum-blasted surfaces stored in cell medium.

A Comparison of Wear Patterns on Retrieved and Simulator-Tested Total Knee Replacements.

Aseptic implant loosening is the most common reason for revision surgery after total knee replacement. This is associated with adverse biological reactions to wear debris from the articulating implant components. To predict the amount of wear debris generated in situ, standard wear testing of total knee replacement (TKR) is carried out before its clinical use. However, wear data reported on retrievals of total knee replacement (TKR) revealed significant discrepancies compared with standard wear simulator studies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the wear patterns on identical posterior-cruciate-retaining TKR designs by analyzing retrieved and experimentally tested implants. The identification and classification of wear patterns were performed using 21 retrieved ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMW-PE) inserts and four sets of inserts of identical design and material tested in a knee wear simulator. These four sets had undergone different worst-case conditions and a standard test in a wear simulator according to ISO 14243-1. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the polyethylene inserts were performed, including the determination of seven modes of wear that correspond to specific wear patterns, the calculation of wear areas, and the classification of the damage over the whole articulating area. Retrieved and standard wear simulator-tested UHMW-PE inserts showed significant differences in wear area and patterns. The total wear areas and the damage score were significantly larger on the retrievals (52.3% versus 23.9%, 32.7 versus 22.7). Furthermore, the range of wear patterns found on the retrievals was not reproducible in the simulator-tested inserts. However, good correspondence was found with the simulator-tested polyethylene inserts under worst-case conditions (third body wear), i.e., deep wear areas could be replicated according to the in vivo situation compared with other wear test scenarios. Based on the findings presented here, standard simulator testing can be used to directly compare different TKR designs but is limited in the prediction of their in situ wear. Preclinical wear testing may be adjusted by worst-case conditions to improve the prediction of in situ performance of total knee implants in the future.

Influence of Accelerated Aging on the Wear Behavior of Cross-Linked Polyethylene Liners-A Hip Simulator Study.

Sequential cross-linked and annealed ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (SX-PE) is known as a low-wear articulating partner, especially for total hip endoprostheses. Aging of polymeric materials, irrespective of if induced by shelf or in vivo life, can degrade their tribological and mechanical properties. However, changes in wear behavior of aged SX-PE liners have not been not quantified so far. An accelerated aging procedure, to simulate shelf and in vivo aging, was performed on thin SX-PE liners after five million load cycles using a simulator ("worn-aged") as well as on new SX-PE liners ("new-aged"). A subsequent hip simulator test was performed with both thin SX-PE liner sets in combination with large-diameter ceramic femoral head, representing a combination known as advantageous for treatment after revision because of dislocation. Oxidation indices were measured on the liners after each step of the procedure. SX-PE liners after accelerated aging show bedding-in phases during simulator test, which was a characteristic only known from clinical investigations. Hence, the wear rates of the "new-aged" ((1.71 ± 0.49) mg/million cycles) and of the "worn-aged" ((9.32 ± 0.09) mg/million cycles) SX-PE were increased in the first period compared to new unaged SX-PE liners. Subsequently, the wear rates decreased for "new-aged" and "worn-aged" inserts to (0.44 ± 0.48) mg/million cycles and (2.72 ± 0.05) mg/million cycles, respectively. In conclusion, the results show promising effects of accelerated aging on SX-PE liners in simulator testing and for potential long-term use in clinical applications.

Experimental Investigation of Material Transfer on Bearings for Total Hip Arthroplasty-A Retrieval Study on Ceramic and Metallic Femoral Heads.

Metallic deposition is a commonly observed phenomenon on the surface of revised femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty and can lead to increased wear due to third bodies. In order to find out the origin and composition of the transfer material, 98 retrieved femoral heads of different materials were examined with regard to the cause of revision, localization, pattern and composition of the transfer material by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We found that in 53.1%, the deposition was mostly in the region of the equator and the adjacent pole of the femoral heads. The most common cause for revision of heads with metallic deposition was polyethylene wear (43.9%). Random stripes (44.9%), random patches (41.8%) and solid patches (35.7%) were most prevalent on retrieved femoral heads. Random patches were a typical pattern in ceramic-on-ceramic bearing couples. The solid patch frequently occurred in association with dislocation of the femoral head (55%). The elemental analysis of the depositions showed a variety of different materials. In most cases, titanium was an element of the transferred material (76.5%). In addition to metallic components, several non-metallic components were also detected, such as carbon (49%) or sulfur (4.1%). Many of the determined elements could be assigned with regard to their origin with the help of the associated revision cause. Since the depositions lead to an introduction of third-body particles and thus to increased wear, the depositions on the bearing surfaces should be avoided in any case.

An extended spectrum bactericidal titanium dioxide (TiO2) coating for metallic implants: in vitro effectiveness against MRSA and mechanical properties.

Implant infections remain feared and severe complications after total joint arthroplasty. The incidence of multi-resistant pathogens, causing such infections, is rising continuously, and orthopaedic surgeons are confronted with an ever-changing resistance pattern. Anti-infectious surface coatings aim for a high local effective concentration and a low systemic toxicity at the same time. Antibacterial efficacy and biomechanical stability of a novel broad-spectrum anti-infectious coating is assessed in the present study. Antibacterial efficacy of a sol-gel derived titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) coating for metal implants with and without integrated copper ions as antibiotic agent was assessed against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA 27065). Both bacterial surface adhesion and growth of planktonic bacteria were assessed with bare and various TiO(2)-coated Ti6Al4V metal discs. Furthermore, bonding strength of the TiO(2) surface coating, using standard testing procedures, as well as surface roughness were determined. We found a significant reduction of the bacterial growth rate for the coatings with integrated copper ions, with highest reduction rates observed for a fourfold copper TiO(2)-coating. Pure TiO(2) without integrated copper ions did not reduce bacterial growth compared to uncoated Ti6Al4V. The coating was not detached from the substrate by standard adhesive failure testing, which indicated an excellent durability of the implant coating. The TiO(2) coating with integrated copper ions could offer a new strategy for preventing implant-associated infections, with antibacterial properties not only against the most common bacteria causing implant infections but also against multiresistant strains such as MRSA.

Influence of Metallic Deposition on Ceramic Femoral Heads on the Wear Behavior of Artificial Hip Joints: A Simulator Study.

Several retrieval studies have reported on metallic depositions on ceramic femoral heads, but the effect on the wear behavior of artificial hip joints has not been investigated in wear simulator studies. In the present study, retrieved ceramic heads with metallic depositions as third particles were tested against cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) liners in a hip wear simulator. The amount of liner wear and expansion of metallic depositions on the heads were determined before and after wear testing with digital microscopy. The surface roughness of the heads was investigated in areas with and without metallic depositions by laser scanning microscopy. After five million load cycles, a non-significant reduction in the metallic formation on the retrieved heads was found. The metallic areas showed a higher surface roughness compared to unconcerned areas. The liners showed a higher wear rate of 1.57 ± 1.36 mg/million cycles for 28 mm heads and 2.42 ± 0.82 mg/million cycles for 36 mm heads with metallic depositions, in comparison with new ceramic heads with a 28 mm size ((-0.06 ± 0.89) mg/million cycles) and 36 mm size ((2.04 ± 0.46) mg/million cycles). Metallic transfer on ceramic heads can lead to an increased surface roughness and higher wear rates at the UHMWPE liners. Therefore, metallic contact of the ceramic femoral head should be avoided.

Limited range of motion of hip resurfacing arthroplasty due to unfavorable ratio of prosthetic head size and femoral neck diameter.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hip resurfacing arthroplasty is being used more and more frequently. The small ratio in size between the resurfaced femoral head and the relatively thick femoral neck raises the question of whether the range of motion is sufficient, particularly with regard to the high mobility required by younger patients. We analyzed motion in a CAD model. METHODS: Three-dimensional CAD models of the natural hip were created from CT scans and 8 designs of hip resurfacing prostheses (head diameter between 42 mm and 54 mm combined with a hemispherical cup) were implanted in a virtual sense. We simulated 3 different leg positions and the range of motion was evaluated, considering five different implant positions. RESULTS: The range of motion of the hip resurfacing designs analyzed was far below the range of motion of stemmed total hip prostheses. None of the resurfacing prostheses provided flexion movements of 90 degrees without impingement. The average range of motion of hip resurfacing arthroplasty was 31-48 degrees below the range of motion of a stemmed total hip replacement with 32-mm head diameter. INTERPRETATION: The range of motion of the hip resurfacing designs examined was substantially less than that of a conventional total hip prosthesis. Since impingement of the femoral neck on the acetabular component increases the risk of neck fractures, of dislocation and of subsequent implant loosening, the design and position of the implant should be considered before using hip resurfacing arthroplasty as a standard treatment for younger patients.

Influence of analyzed lubricant volumes on the amount and characteristics of generated wear particles from three different types of polyethylene liner materials.

The articulating components of artificial joints consist mainly of metals, ceramics, or polymers. Resulting abrasive wear particles can promote osteolysis and aseptic loosening of the endo-prosthetic implants. Ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene is the material used most for bearing couples in total hip replacement. In the present study, three types of polyethylene (PE) liners varying in material composition, i.e., (1) conventional PE (C-PE), (2) sequentially cross-linked PE (SX-PE), (3) cross-linked PE blended with vitamin E (EX-PE) articulating with two types of femoral heads were used. After ultrasound treatment of each simulator lubricant, different concentrations (0.1/0.25/0.5/1.0 mL) were taken and dissolved in hydrochloric acid (37%) in a similar manner. The aim was to analyze the characteristics of wear particles generated in a hip simulator, with respect to different volumes of the lubricant. Within the scope of particle analysis, distinct alterations for particle characteristics were determined in the lubricant volumes and types of PE material used. A significant decrease in particle number for SX-PE liners, compared to the C-PE inserts and even more for EX-PE inserts, was detected at each lubricant volume. Particle morphologies varied depending on PE material. Alterations in particle size and other morphologic parameters between the four tested volumes, could be proven for each PE type. In general, particle sizes and parameters (e.g., length and width) increased with increasing serum volumes. In conclusion, the chosen volume of the simulator lubricant used for particle analysis has a crucial influence on detected particle number, size distribution, and morphologic parameters. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1299-1306, 2018.

Experimental analysis of insertion torques and forces of threaded and press-fit acetabular cups by means of ex vivo and in vivo measurements.

PURPOSE: In THA a sufficient primary implant stability is the precondition for successful secondary stability. Industrial foams of different densities have been used for primary stability investigations. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the insertion behaviour of threaded and press-fit cups in vivo and ex vivo using bone substitutes with various densities. METHODS: Two threaded (Bicon Plus®, Trident® TC) and one press-fit cup (Trident PSL®) were inserted by orthopaedic surgeons (S1, S2) into 10, 20 and 31 pcf blocks, using modified surgical instruments allowing measurements of the insertion forces and torques. Furthermore, the insertion behaviour of two cups were analysed intraoperatively. RESULTS: Torques for the threaded cups increased while bone substitute density increased. Maximum insertion torques were observed for S2 with 102 Nm for the Bicon Plus® in 20 pcf blocks and 77 Nm for the Trident® TC in 31 pcf blocks, which compares to the in vivo measurement (85 Nm). The average insertion forces for the press-fit cup varied from 5.2 to 6.8 kN (S1) and 7.2-11.5 kN (S2) ex vivo. Intraoperatively an average insertion force of 8.0 kN was determined. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation behaviour was influenced by acetabular cup design, bone substitute and experience of the surgeon. No specific density of bone substitute could be favoured for ex vivo investigations on the implantation behaviour of acetabular cups. The use synthetic bone blocks of high density (31 pcf) led to problems regarding cup orientation and seating. Therefore, bone substitutes used should be critically scrutinized in terms of the comparability to the in vivo situation.

A Cell-Adhesive Plasma Polymerized Allylamine Coating Reduces the In Vivo Inflammatory Response Induced by Ti6Al4V Modified with Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation of Copper.

Copper (Cu) could be suitable to create anti-infective implants based on Titanium (Ti), for example by incorporating Cu into the implant surface using plasma immersion ion implantation (Cu-PIII). The cytotoxicity of Cu might be circumvented by an additional cell-adhesive plasma polymerized allylamine film (PPAAm). Thus, this study aimed to examine in vivo local inflammatory reactions for Ti6Al4V implants treated with Cu-PIII (Ti-Cu), alone or with an additional PPAAm film (Ti-Cu-PPAAm), compared to untreated implants (Ti). Successful Cu-PIII and PPAAm treatment was confirmed with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Storage of Ti-Cu and Ti-Cu-PPAAm samples in double-distilled water for five days revealed a reduction of Cu release by PPAAm. Subsequently, Ti, Ti-Cu and Ti-Cu-PPAAm samples were simultaneously implanted into the neck musculature of 24 rats. After 7, 14 and 56 days, peri-implant tissue was retrieved from 8 rats/day for morphometric immunohistochemistry of different inflammatory cells. On day 56, Ti-Cu induced significantly stronger reactions compared to Ti (tissue macrophages, antigen-presenting cells, T lymphocytes) and to Ti-Cu-PPAAm (tissue macrophages, T lymphocytes, mast cells). The response for Ti-Cu-PPAAm was comparable with Ti. In conclusion, PPAAm reduced the inflammatory reactions caused by Cu-PIII. Combining both plasma processes could be useful to create antibacterial and tissue compatible Ti-based implants.

Adhesive strength of total knee endoprostheses to bone cement - analysis of metallic and ceramic femoral components under worst-case conditions.

Evaluation of the adhesive strength of femoral components to the bone cement is a relevant parameter for predicting implant safety. In the present experimental study, three types of cemented femoral components (metallic, ceramic and silica/silane-layered ceramic) of the bicondylar Multigen Plus knee system, implanted on composite femora were analysed. A pull-off test with the femoral components was performed after different load and several cementing conditions (four groups and n=3 components of each metallic, ceramic and silica/silane-layered ceramic in each group). Pull-off forces were comparable for the metallic and the silica/silane-layered ceramic femoral components (mean 4769 N and 4298 N) under standard test condition, whereas uncoated ceramic femoral components showed reduced pull-off forces (mean 2322 N). Loading under worst-case conditions led to decreased adhesive strength by loosening of the interface implant and bone cement using uncoated metallic and ceramic femoral components, respectively. Silica/silane-coated ceramic components were stably fixed even under worst-case conditions. Loading under high flexion angles can induce interfacial tensile stress, which could promote early implant loosening. In conclusion, a silica/silane-coating layer on the femoral component increased their adhesive strength to bone cement. Thicker cement mantles (>2 mm) reduce adhesive strength of the femoral component and can increase the risk of cement break-off.

A dual function of copper in designing regenerative implants.

The supply of titanium implants which are widely used in orthopaedics with both regenerative and anti-microbial properties will achieve a great progress in bone regeneration. We asked, whether by appropriate concentrations of copper ions it will be possible both to inhibit growth of bacteria and stimulate biological responses in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Using titanium material which released galvanically deposited copper at concentrations from 0.3 to 1.75 mM, growth of planktonic Staphylococcus aureus was blocked and more importantly adherent bacteria were cleared from the material surface within 24 h. To test biological responses of human bone marrow derived MSC due to copper ions, we found that copper stimulated the proliferation of MSC in a narrow concentration range around 0.1 mM. Similar copper concentrations enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MSC when cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium. We observed increased activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), higher expression of collagen I, osteoprotegerin, osteopontin and finally mineralization of the cells. We conclude that titanium implants that release copper ions can be effective against bacterial infections at higher concentrations of copper near the implant surface and can promote bone regeneration when its concentration becomes lower due to diffusion.