Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Different techniques (colorimetry, Fourier-transformed infrared
spectra recorded in an attenuated total reflexion, X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy technique and contact angle measurements) were used to
check the presence of the bioactive polymers at the surface of the
titanium samples. The grafting process was found to be successful
with the colorimetric method uptake value of 5 µg/cm
2
for titanium
surfaces and for titanium alloy surfaces [HEL 10, FEL 13].
Bacterial studies have shown the advantage of poly(NaSS) grafted
onto titanium and onto alloy titanium (Ti6Al4V) surfaces. Bacterial
adhesion study showed that titanium graft surfaces exhibited high
inhibition of
S. aureus
adhesion at levels greater than 90% and of
S.
epidermidis
adhesion at levels greater than 70% when compared to
titanium [BEN 11]. Then, osteoblastic cell response was studied on
polished, oxidized and grafted titanium and alloy samples. Cell
adhesion, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium nodule formation
were significantly enhanced on grafted titanium samples compared to
unmodified surfaces [HEL 10, FEL 13, FEL 14]. The bioactive
polymer together with the titanium material offers a promising
solution for the fast biomaterial osteointegration to be used in the
orthopedic and dental field.
6.2.3.
Radical graft polymerization of bioactive polymers on
poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for anterior cruciate ligament
applications
Knee ligaments are commonly injured, especially by people
participating in sports such as skiing or football. Injury of the anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL), in particular, can sometimes result in the
termination of an athlete's participation in competition. ACL rupture
is the most common sport injury and due to its poor healing capacity
[DUT 06, ZAN 06], surgical treatments are often required for
restoring the function of the knee.
After an ACL tear, the best solutions for repair are either ligament
replacement by a tendon autograft or reconstruction using an artificial
ligament. Autologous tissues such as Bone Patellar Tendon Bone
[ALM 74] and Semitendinous and Gracilis Tendon are the most used
