Frontiers in Multi-functional Biomaterials for Hip Joint Application

Abstract

AbstractBiomaterials are the evidence of advancements imbibing the foundation and appreciating the multidisciplinary nature of materials sciences and engineering. The stringent requirements mandate materials to sustain the body’s immune response while being exposed to a severe corrosive body environment with incidental thermal, mechanical, and other unintended environmental shocks. Therein, various classes of material (ceramics, polymers, metals, composites) attuning these as responsive materials (bioinert, bioactive, bioresorbable to toxic) to their judicious transition into structural and non-structural applications speaks volume of its diverse nature. Accordingly, metals (like stainless steel, Ti-6Al-4V, Co-Cr, etc.) have established themselves as prime load-bearing materials, bioactive/bioinert ceramics (such as hydroxyapatite, zirconia, and bio-glass) have proven exceptional materials for bone scaffolds, whereas polymers have exhibited supremacy for non-wetting surfaces for catheters, blood bags, and liners for complying to the structural deformations during articulation of mating surfaces. Further, utilization of tailoring cytocompatibility using various additives along with simulated stimuli (i.e., electrical, magnetic, or other chemicals) and sensing has led to accurate diagnostics in real time. Visualization of cell-material interaction has also paved a path for choosing the right material for intended biomedical applications. Real-time monitoring and incorporation of therapeutic agents to intervene in real time can very strongly encourage the use of technology in expedited, effective, and normal healing.KeywordsHip jointBiomaterialsFemoral stemAcetabular cup linerBiocompatibilityWear modeling