Papers by Author: Waléria Silva de Medeiros

Abstract: Synthetic Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been used as coating in order to enhance biocompatibility of titanium implants. Osseointegration at the implant-bone interface can be positively affected by the presence of HA coating and other biocompatible calcium phosphates (CaP) deposited on titanium implants, due to the high biocompatibility of these bioceramics. The biomimetic process is based on the nucleation and growth of a bioceramic film onto a substrate immersed in a body fluid solution (SBF) and it can be applied to deposit CaP coatings onto metallic substrates. The present work presents results on the characterization by SEM of CaP coating deposited on porous titanium samples by a biomimetic process.

Abstract: In order to improve implant-bone attachment, porous titanium has been used to achieve the ingrowth of bone tissue within the porous structure. Although this biomaterial has shown efficient bone adhesion for orthopedic and dental implants, the ideal surface must have chemical bonds at the implant-bone interface. In this work, samples of pure porous titanium were produced by powder metallurgy technique and submitted to biomimetic process in order to evaluate the material’s bioactivity and to enhance its osteoconductivity. The samples were immersed in modified simulated body fluid (mSBF) which induces the nucleation and growth of a calcium phosphate bioactive film and a chemical bond with titanium. SEM, EDX and FTIR analyses showed that a calcium phosphate deposition occurred without the need of pre-treatments to increase the surface bioactivity. As a result, this research revealed the potential for obtaining a bonelike apatite film on this porous titanium by biomimetic method.

Abstract: In this work, porous titanium samples processed by powder metallurgy and coated with biomimetic coatings, obtained during different periods of immersion in a simulated body fluid (SBF), were tested for corrosion resistance in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Uncoated samples were also tested for comparison. The corrosion resistance of both types of titanium samples was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarisation curves. The electrochemical results indicated the formation of a surface film on the porous Ti samples with immersion in the SBF solution and this biomimetic film increased their corrosion resistance. This film helps osteointegration besides increasing corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Porosity and pore size are critical features for biomaterial scaffolds as they play an essential role in bone formation and bone ingrowth in vivo. Therefore, techniques for scaffolds evaluation are of great importance for their design and processing. Porous titanium has been used for grafts and implant coatings as it allows the mechanical interlocking of the pores and bone. In this study, porous titanium samples were manufactured by powder metallurgy. The porosity quantification was assessed by optical quantitative metallographic analysis, and non-destructive gamma-ray transmission and X-ray microtomography techniques, in order to compare their efficacy for porosity evaluation. Pore morphology and surface topography were characterized via scanning electron microscopy. These techniques have demonstrated to be suitable for titanium scaffolds evaluation, and micro-CT was the one that allowed the three-dimensional porosity assessment.

Abstract: Surgical implant coatings and grafts for tissue replacement have been made by porous surface materials to improve the implant to bone attachment. In this work, porous titanium samples were produced via powder metallurgy techniques and submitted to the biomimetic process in order to enhance its osteoconductivity. This process allows a nucleation and growth of a calcium phosphate film which makes a chemical bond with titanium. Therefore, it avoids the looseness of this film from substrate. The samples were chemically treated, heat treated at different temperatures and soaked into a modified body fluid solution (mSBF) during periods of 2 and 7 days. Samples with and without pretreatments and not soaked in mSBF were used as controls. SEM and EDX analyses detected a calcium phosphate phase on the sample surfaces treated at 400°C and 600°C and soaked in mSBF for 2 and 7 days. The results demonstrated the potential of the methodology applied for obtaining a bonelike apatite film on porous titanium samples processed by powder metallurgy.