A Method for Preparation of Samples of Titanium–Containing Bone–Implant Units for Assessing Osseointegration

Abstract

Diaphyseal defects of canine tibia bones were replaced with bioactive cylindrical mesh implants made of Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloy. Bone−implant units were cut with a precision cutter using abrasive cutting discs (thickness, 0.76 mm; rotational speed, 2000 rpm; feed rate, 12 mm/min for sample 1 and 5 mm/min for samples 2–4). Tissues were found to suffer thermal damage at a disc feed rate of 12 mm/min; 72.6% of tissues in the projection of the defect cavity were found to be unsuitable for histological examination. At a feed rate of 5 mm/min, thermal damage or significant mechanical damage to the tissues was not observed. Thus, at the stage of preparation of samples of titanium–containing bone−implant units for the assessment of osseointegration, the degree of tissue preservation, under otherwise identical conditions, depends on the cutting tool feed rate.