|
At Purdue University, biomedical engineers have shown that bone cells attach better to metals that have rougher surfaces. The discovery could mean more natural and longer-lasting hip and knee implants. Today replacements usually use titanium alloys with smooth surfaces, which are micron-sized bumps. However, natural bone and other tissues have rougher surfaces with 100nm bumps. Therefore, because bone cells interact with nanometer bumps, materials are needed that also have nanometer bumps, says a member of the Purdue team. The scientists, who transformed nanopowders into a functional material, then analyzed for bone growth. They found that use of an alloy of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium, which has a surface made of nm-scale bumps, the interaction with proteins in the body is maximized. The result was a 90 percent improvement in bone cells attached and an increase in bone cell deposition. The improved attachment is the result of the cells' preferred adherence to nanomaterials' boundaries, which are in greater quantity than in a conventional metal with micron-sized bumps. Researchers could also control cell adhesion and function through regulation of the protein interactions with nm-sized surfaces. The team is encouraged sufficiently to begin forging alliances with orthopedic implant companies.
|
Information Sources, Inc.
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}