Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
13.2
Titanium alloys proved to be able to promote integration with
bone, as shown in this low-magnification (X15) back scattered
electron microscopic image; newly formed bone is seen around the
transverse section of a Ti6Al4V rod, experimentally implanted into
the distal femur of a rabbit.
13.3
Higher magnification (X250) back scattered electron microscopy
shows that bone is seldom tightly apposed to titanium alloy; a tiny
non-ossified rim often remains in between.
in any case, many surface treatment have been developed and applied
in designing implants based on metals, to improve their acceptance by
the recipient bone or, even, to mask the metal from the bone by processes
grouped under the term 'biomimicry'. Hydroxyapatite coating is the most
