Physical Properties of Electropolished CoCrMo Alloy Coated with Biodegradable Polymeric Coatings Releasing Heparin after Prolonged Exposure to Artificial Urine.

In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of long-term exposure to artificial urine on the physical properties of CoCrMo alloy with biodegradable heparin-releasing polymeric coatings. Variants of polymer coatings of poly(L,L-lactide-ɛ-caprolactone) (P(L,L-L/CL)) and poly(D,L-lactide-ɛ-caprolactone) (P(D,L-L/CL)) constituting the base for heparin-releasing (HEP) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coatings were analyzed. The coatings were applied by the dip-coating method. Heparin was used to counteract the incrustation process in the artificial urine. The study included tests of wettability, resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, determination of the mass density of metal ions penetrating into the artificial urine, and the kinetics of heparin release. In addition, microscopic observations of surface roughness and adhesion to the metal substrate were performed. Electrolytically polished CoCrMo samples (as a reference level) and samples with polymer coatings were used for the tests. The tests were conducted on samples in the initial state and after 30, 60, and 90 days of exposure to artificial urine. The analysis of the test results shows that the polymer coatings contribute by improving the resistance of the metal substrate to pitting and crevice corrosion in the initial state and reducing (as compared with the metal substrate) the mass density of metal ion release into the artificial urine. Moreover, the PVA + HEP coating, regardless of the base polymer coatings used, contributes to a reduction in the incrustation process in the first 30 days of exposure to the artificial urine.

Electrochemical and Biological Performance of Biodegradable Polymer Coatings on Ti6Al7Nb Alloy.

The inhibition of the corrosion of metal implants is still a challenge. This study aimed to increase the corrosion resistance of Ti6Al7Nb alloy implants through surface modification, including grinding, sandblasting, and anodic oxidation followed by the deposition of a polymer coating. The aim of the work was to determine the influence of biodegradable polymer coatings on the physico-chemical properties of a Ti6Al7Nb alloy used for short-term implants. Biodegradable coatings prepared from poly(glycolide-caprolactone) (P(GCap)), poly(glycolide ε-caprolactone-lactide) (P(GCapL)), and poly(lactide-glycolide) (PLGA) were applied in the studies. The dip-coating method with three cycles of dipping was applied. Corrosion resistance was assessed on the basis of potentiodynamic studies. The studies were carried out on samples after 30, 60, and 90 days of exposure to Ringer's solution. Surface topography, wettability, and cytotoxicity studies were also carried out. The degradation process of the base material was evaluated on the basis of the mass density of the metal ions released to the solution. The results indicated the influence of the coating type on corrosion resistance. In addition, a beneficial effect of the polymer coating on the reduction of the density of the released metal ions was found, as compared to the samples without polymer coatings. The obtained results provide basic knowledge for the development of polymer coatings enriched with an active substance. The presence of ciprofloxacin in the coating did not reduce the corrosion resistance of the metal substrate. Moreover, the cytotoxicity test using the extract dilution method demonstrated that the implants' coatings are promising for further in vitro and in vivo studies.

Serum concentrations of CCL20/MIP-3alpha in women with endometriosis.

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a chronic disease defined by the presence of uterine mucosa outside the uterine cavity. Abnormal levels of cytokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules and metalloproteinases have been found in patients with endometriosis. A review of the literature revealed no papers on CCL20 serum levels in women with endometriosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 32 women who underwent laparoscopy in the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital-Research Institute, Lodz, Poland. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the study and control group. The study group was divided into three subgroups according to endometriosis form. Twenty patients were included in the study group and 12 patients acted as controls. CCL20 concentrations value were determined using a quantitative sandwich ELISA kit (R&D Systems). Results were statistically analyzed by SPSS STATISTICS 24.0.0 software. A significance level of 0.05 was used. RESULTS: The mean serum level of CCL20 in the study group was 7.4 pg/ml. In controls the mean value was 10.95 pg/ml. The concentration of CCL20 was statistically significantly lower in the study group than in controls (p = 0.004). Within the study group the highest values were reported in patients with endometrial ovarian cysts (8.55 pg/ml), intermediate in the DIE subgroup (8.24 pg/ml) and the lowest in patients with peritoneal endometriosis (6.74 pg/ml). Differences between subgroups were not statistically significant (p = 0.385). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed statistically significantly decreased CCL20 serum levels in women with endometriosis. No significant differences of CCL20 serum levels between patients with different forms of endometriosis were observed.

Biodegradable polymer coatings on Ti6Al7Nb alloy.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of long term exposure to Ringer's solution of biodegradable polymer coatings containing an active substance on the Ti6Al7Nb alloy substrate on the physical and chemical properties of the coatings and the degradation process of the metal substrate. The studies used poly(L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) P(L/TMC), poly(L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate-glycolide) P(L/TMC/G) and poly(D,L-lactide-glycolide) (PLGA) coatings applied to the anodically oxidized Ti6Al7Nb alloy by means of dipping method (1, 2 and 3 dips). The polymer coatings contained ciprofloxacin. Roughness and wettability tests were carried out on the substrate and polymer coatings, the pitting corrosion resistance of the substrate and samples with polymer coating was determined, the number of metallic ions released to the solution from the coated and uncoated samples was determined as well as the adhesion of polymer coatings. The research was supplemented by microscopic observations. The results of the research indicate different influence of exposure to Ringer's solution on the physical and chemical properties of biodegradable polymer coatings containing ciprofloxacin and the course of the degradation process of the metal substrate.

Properties of Ti-6Al-7Nb titanium alloy nitrocarburized under glow discharge conditions.

PURPOSE: The paper presents the results of physicochemical and mechanical properties of the Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy with surface modified by formation of a diffusive nitrocarburized layer deposited in a low-temperature plasma process. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of steam sterilization and exposure to Ringer's solution on the utility properties of the alloy. METHODS: Based on the study of the microstructure, roughness, wettability, resistance to pitting corrosion, ion infiltration and mechanical properties, the usefulness of the proposed method of surface treatment for clinical application was proven. RESULTS: Deposition of the nitrocarburized layer increased the surface roughness and surface hardness, but also reduced the contact angle, and corrosion resistance with respect to the polished surfaces. The nitrocarburized layer is a barrier against the infiltration of ions to the solution and sterilization and exposure to Ringer solution have greater effect on the physicochemical properties rather than on the mechanical ones. CONCLUSION: It was found that sterilization, and exposure to Ringer's solution greatly affect the change of physicochemical properties rather than mechanical properties for both nitrocarburized layers and the Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy of mechanically polished surface.

Evaluation of physicochemical properties of surface modified Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al7Nb alloys used for orthopedic implants.

The paper presents the results of selected functional properties of TiO2 layers deposited by ALD method on the surface of Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al7Nb alloys intended for implants in bone surgery. TiO2 layer was applied at the constant temperature of the ALD process at T=200°C at a variable number of cycles, which resulted in a different layer thickness. Different process cycles of 500, 1250, and 2500 were analyzed. The application of experimental methods (AFM, SEM, wettability, potentiodynamic test, EIS, scratch test, nanohardness and layer thickness) enabled to select the optimal number of cycles, and thus the thickness of the TiO2 layer of the most favorable functional properties. The obtained results clearly showed that regardless of the type of titanium substrate, the TiO2 layer applied in a 2500cycle ALD process has the best physicochemical and electrochemical properties. These properties have major impact on biocompatibility, and therefore the quality of the final product. The information obtained can be useful for manufacturers of medical devices involved in the production of implants used in reconstructive surgery of skeletal system.

Novel bioactive polyester scaffolds prepared from unsaturated resins based on isosorbide and succinic acid.

In this study new biodegradable materials obtained by crosslinking poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate) (PSAGE) with oligo(isosorbide maleate) (OMIS) and small amount of methyl methacrylate were investigated. The porous scaffolds were obtained in the presence of a foaming system consisted of calcium carbonate/carboxylic acid mixture, creating in situ porous structure during crosslinking of liquid formulations. The maximum crosslinking temperature and setting time, the cured porous materials morphology as well as the effect of their porosity on mechanical properties and hydrolytic degradation process were evaluated. It was found that the kind of carboxylic acid used in the foaming system influenced compressive strength and compressive modulus of porous scaffolds. The MTS cytotoxicity assay was carried out for OMIS using hFOB1.19 cell line. OMIS resin was found to be non-toxic in wide range of concentrations. On the ground of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and energy X-ray dispersive analysis (EDX) it was found that hydroxyapatite (HA) formation at the scaffolds surfaces within short period of soaking in phosphate buffer solution occurs. After 3h immersion a compact layer of HA was observed at the surface of the samples. The obtained results suggest potential applicability of resulted new porous crosslinked polymeric materials as temporary bone void fillers.

Biomechanical analysis of limited-contact plate used for osteosynthesis.

This paper presents the results of numerical analysis aimed at determining the state of stresses and displacements of compression plate used in osteosynthesis of tibia, carried out by applying finite element method using the ANSYS program. The analysis took into account two variants of the osteosynthesis. Variant I included the osteosynthesis in which plate was attached directly to the bone, in variant II, the plate was moved away from the bones by about 5 mm. Biomechanical characteristics of the corrective osteotomy plate-tibia was determined for implants made of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The boundary conditions adopted for the analysis reflect phenomena occurring in a real system. Based on the results of the analysis relative displacements and reduced stresses in various components were determined as a function of the applied load within the range of F = 500-1500 N. The maximum forces, both variant I and variant II determined during analysis, ensure that the generated stress does not exceed yield strength of the material and compressive strength of the bone, and do not exceed safety movement in the fracture gap. In addition, it was found that the locking of the compressive plate to the bone has a little effect on the distribution of displacements and stresses on the plate-tibia system in the case of a simple fracture.

Influence of surgical drills wear on thermal process generated in bones.

The influence of the wear rate of drills used in bone surgery on the temperature distribution in the femur models (Sawbones) is presented in the paper. Surgical drills of diameter d = 4.5 mm and diverse edge geometry (90° and 120°) were selected for the study. In order to carry out thermal analysis with the use of finite element, experimental studies of wear process were necessary. These studies, among others, consisted in determination of average values of axial forces and cutting torques as a function of the number of drilled holes. The study showed an impact of the drill geometry on values that describe cutting process. It was found that the greatest values of torques and axial cutting forces occur in drills of point angle of 120°. Next, in order to determine the effect of wear rate on the generation of temperature in the cutting zone, thermal analysis of the drilling process using the finite element method was carried out. It was found that higher temperatures in the bone are observed for drilling with the use of the drill of point angle equal to 120°, as in the experimental study. For the tools of such edge geometry the wear of cutting edge is more intensive and the generated temperature in femur for the wear land VBB = 0.32 mm has reached the critical value associated with the process of thermal necrosis.

Numerical and experimental analyses of drills used in osteosynthesis.

This paper presents the results of numerical analysis and experimental studies of the process of bone drilling using drills applied in osteosynthesis procedures. In the studies, two surgical drills with a diameter d = 4.5 mm and varying in drill point geometry 2κ were used. Thermal analysis based on FEM allowed determining the distribution of temperatures generated in the bone as a function of rotational speed of the drill. The results indicate that both drill point geometry and rotational speed of the drill have influence on temperatures generated in bone tissue. Additionally, the range was determined for possible values of rotational speed, which does not initiate the process of thermal necrosis of bone. The experimental studies of the process of drilling in a femur model showed the impact of drill point geometry on the values describing the cutting process. It was concluded that the highest values of torques and axial forces during cutting occur in the tools with angle 2κ2 = 120°.

Characterization of new biodegradable bone cement compositions based on functional polysuccinates and methacrylic anhydride.

New biodegradable poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene)succinate-based materials were obtained by cross-linking poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene)succinate (PSAGE) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic anhydride (MAAH). The aim of this study was to examine the influence of MAAH/MMA ratio and incorporation of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) filler on the maximum curing temperature, setting time, compressive strength and modulus of the cured materials, as well as on their hydrolytic degradation. The latter was characterized by determination of the weight loss and observation of changes in samples morphology by SEM. The maximum temperature during cross-linking was found to decrease with increasing MAAH content. The setting time was affected strongly by the concentration of double bonds and was rapidly shortened with its increase. The compressive strength and compressive modulus values increased with increasing MAAH/MMA ratio. Moreover, addition of bioactive mineral filler (BCP) improves significantly mechanical properties of these materials. On the other hand, it slows down their hydrolytic degradation.

Evaluation of oligo(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylates effects on the properties of new biodegradable bone cement compositions.

New injectable, in situ curable liquid formulations consisting of biodegradable aliphatic polyester, i.e., poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene)succinate (PSAGE), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and hydrophilic oligo(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylates (OEGDMA) were investigated. The effect of MMA/OEGDMA ratio, OEGDMA molecular weight, i.e., the length of oligooxyethylene fragments, on the maximum curing temperature, setting time, compressive strength and modulus of the cured materials as well as their hydrophilicity were examined. The latter was characterized by determination of equilibrium water content and static water contact angle. The maximum temperature during crosslinking was found to decrease with increasing OEGDMA molecular weight and decreasing MMA/OEGDMA ratio. The setting time was affected strongly by the concentration of double bonds and was rapidly shortened with its increase. The compressive strength and compressive modulus values decreased with increasing OEGDMA molecular weight and decreasing MMA/OEGDMA ratio. Poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate).