RESUMO
The main target of the present research was a full assessment of the toxicity effects and biocompatibility of a Ti/Al-alloy device coated with biogenic hydroxyapatite (bHA) when implanted in dogs in comparison with those of an uncoated Ti/Al-alloy device. The coating of the alloy was carried out using controlled high-velocity suspension flame spray (HVSFS) technique. Both coated and uncoated devices were implanted in dogs' femur bones for different time periods (45 days and 90 days). Bone-formation ability and healing were followed up, and blood analysis was performed, at Time zero (immediately post surgery), and then at 3 days, 45 days, and 90 days post surgery. Bone mineral density checks, radiological scans of the femur bone, and histological analysis were also conducted. The in-vivo study results proved that implantation of a device made from bHA-coated Ti/Al alloy in dogs' femur bones is completely safe. This is due to the high osteoconductivity of the coated alloy, which enables the formation of new bone and a full connection between new and original bone material. At 90 days post surgery, the coated alloy had been completely digested within the original bone; thus, it appeared as a part of the femur bone and not as a foreign body. Both the scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray and histology analysis findings affirmed the results. Furthermore, the blood tests indicated no toxicity effects during the 90 days of implantation.