core sector communique

IFGL BIO CERAMICS TO OFFER

BIO-ACTIVE COATINGS

FOR ORTHOPAEDIC AND DENTAL IMPLANTS

 

Kolkata, 12^th August 2010 : IFGL Bio Ceramics is soon going to offer Bioactive coatings made of a) synthetic calcium hydroxyl apatite b) bioactive glass and c) composite of bioactive glass with nano-sized calcium hydroxyl apatite, (all structurally very similar to the inorganic component of human bone), manufactured as per know-how of Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), a constituent laboratory of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), for orthopaedic and dental implants.

Biological inactivity of metal surfaces renders it impossible to achieve cement-free fixation thereof since bone tissue will not bond or grow thereon. The main drawback of using metallic implants is that they are bio-inert and when implanted become encapsulated by dense fibrous tissues inside the body. This prevents proper load transfer leading to non-uniform stress distribution at the bone implant interface, which may result in an interfacial failure leading to loosening of the implant with the possible consequence of fracture in the adjacent bone. For this reason, Bone Cement is extensively used.

Uses of polymethylmethacrylate or other polymer based bone cements to improve implant fixation can however result in deterioration of the adjacent cell or tissues due to necrosis because of excess heat generation during setting of cement. Accordingly, there is a well recognized need in orthopaedic and dental applications for cement less fixation of metallic implants to promote bone bonding with surrounding tissues and enable proper load transfer to prevent stress shielding. This problem is solved by coating the metallic implants with Bio-active materials.

Bio-active coating with good adhesion to the metal enables interfacial bonding to the surrounding bone which in turn accelerates the stabilization of the implant and extends its life expectancy. Especially, preferred Bio-active materials are materials having a chemical composition and crystal structure similar to those of the mineral constituents of bone tissues.