Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
Every year, a huge number of hip replacement surgeries are performed in Russia. Despite significant advances in the development and use of implants, there is a constant need to improve their long-term effectiveness. The success of joint replacement surgeries is largely determined by the postoperative period, when osseointegration occurs. During this process, the bone grows into the surface of the implant. Such a strong connection is necessary to restore the patient’s range of motion. The coating of the implant must meet several conditions: biocompatibility and the absence of an immune reaction, promoting the growth of osteoblasts on the surface of the implant, attracting stem cells from surrounding tissues, and mechanical stability under physiological loads. To this end, scientists are looking for the optimal way to apply porous coatings to the surface of the implant.
Existing methods of coating implants have some limitations, such as insufficient biocompatibility, low mechanical strength or limited integration with the surrounding tissue. Most often, biocompatible cement is used to connect the implant to the bone tissue, but in some cases this can lead to insufficient adhesion of the bone-implant pair. Polytechnic engineers are working on creating a technology that allows the implant and bone tissue to connect without cement. To do this, open porous structures are formed on the surface of the prosthesis: the bone literally grows into it.
Specialists of the research laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of SPbPU have developed a technology for surfacing a porous coating with a layer thickness of 600 µm with an open porosity of 60-80% and the ability to control these parameters. At the moment, clinical tests of samples and the process of manufacturing a serial surfacing complex are underway by order of OOO “Rutil”.
We have developed not only the technology, i.e. the method of manufacturing implants, but also the instrument base. In our laboratory, we have assembled a model of the laser cladding complex. It consists of a laser head, a nozzle for feeding powder and a powder feeder. A fiber laser is used as a laser source. To obtain a porous coating, we used a programmed trajectory of the nozzle movement. The advantage of our technology is the ability to control the height of the porous coating and the proportion of open porosity. Cups manufactured using this technology belong to the premium class in terms of the quality of the porous coating, – said Mikhail Kuznetsov, head of the Laser and Additive Technologies Research Laboratory of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of SPbPU.
The development of additive manufacturing is a key factor in ensuring Russia’s technological independence. The success of the Research Laboratory of Laser and Additive Technologies of the SPbPU IMMiT in creating hip joint cups not only demonstrates the high qualifications of its employees, but also opens up new horizons for import substitution in medicine. This is an important step towards strengthening the university’s position in the market of innovative solutions and reducing dependence on foreign technologies. In addition, achievements in this area significantly strengthen the image of the Polytechnic University as an advanced scientific and educational institution capable of solving current problems and contributing to the development of domestic science and technology, noted Anatoly Popovich, Director of the SPbPU IMMiT.
The implants have successfully passed tests on mice, during which they showed a high level of survival and lack of toxicity for the body. Currently, Endoart LLC and Armalit JSC together with the R. R. Vreden Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics are conducting the next stage of implant testing. Polytechnic University scientists are also manufacturing the first complex in Russia designed for serial application of a porous coating in production conditions. In the future, this will allow for serial production of implants.
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