ABSTRACT
[Objective]To develop new beta titanium alloys made of titanium, niobium and zirconium (Ti-Nb-Zr) which have higher strength, lower moduli of elasticity. Its biocompatibility in vivo is evaluated in this paper. [Method](1) 24 SD rats were used in the modified air pouch model experiments. Air was injected subcutaneously on the back of rats to form the pouches and the Ti-Nb-Zr particles were introduced into them. The liquid in the pouches was harvested 48 hours later for IL-6 and TNF-?ELISA procedure and the capsules for histology examination. All the results were compared with Ti-6Al-4V. (2) Ti-Nb-Zr bone plates were fixed onto tibias of rabbits. The capsules around the plates and the bone under them were observed at 4, 8, 12, 24 and 36 weeks respectively. Ti-Nb-Zr-bone interfaces were emphasized in this procedure. This time the control material was stainless steel. [Result](1)Ti-Nb-Zr and Ti-6Al-4V particles made the air pouches secret more TNF-? than that of the control (P