ABSTRACT
Nickel-titanium shape-memory alloys (NiTi-SMA) were coated with calcium phosphate by dipping in oversaturated calcium phosphate solution. The layer thickness (typically 5-20 micrometer) can be varied by choice of the immersion time. The porous nature of the layer of microcrystals makes it mechanically stable enough to withstand both the shape-memory transition upon cooling and heating and also strong bending of the material (superelastic effect). This layer may improve the biocompatibility of NiTi-SMA, particulary for osteosynthetic devices by creating a more physiological surface and by restricting a potential nickel release. The adherence of human leukocytes (peripheral blood mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes) and platelets to the calcium phosphate layer was analyzed in vitro. In comparison to non-coated NiTi-SMA, leukocytes and platelets showed a significantly increased adhesion to the coated NiTi-SMA.
Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Calcium Phosphates/chemistry , Leukocytes/drug effects , Nickel/chemistry , Titanium/chemistry , Alloys , Blood Platelets/metabolism , Cell Adhesion , Humans , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism , Materials Testing , Surface Properties , Time Factors , X-Ray DiffractionABSTRACT
The biocompatibility of nickel-titanium alloys was investigated by single-culture experiments on functionally graded samples with a stepwise change in composition from pure nickel to pure titanium, including an Ni-Ti shape memory alloy for a 50:50 mixture. This approach permitted a considerable decrease of experimental resources by simultaneously studying a full variation of composition. The results indicate a good biocompatibility for a nickel content up to about 50%. The cells used in the biocompatibility studies comprised osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells (SAOS-2, MG-63), primary human osteoblasts (HOB), and murine fibroblasts (3T3).
