Porous TiNi material manufactured via self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and chemical treatment for ophthalmological implants

Abstract

The study focuses on a novel porous TiNi-based material for ophthalmic orbital implants which was produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and, after proper surface modification, possesses a specific microstructure of its surface pores, which makes it attractive for biomedical use in implants. To get rid of its surface Ti2Ni secondary-phase particles, after preparation via SHS, the obtained porous TiNi material was etched in acidic solution. This was found to improve the material’s surface morphology, adding micro-roughness to its macro-rough pores. Thus, as the main novelty, here we used a simple and efficient surface modification approach to our SHS-produced porous TiNi material, making it more attractive for biomedical applications. As a result, cell growth tests conducted on the material demonstrated improved cell adhesion and growth kinetics on such a porous material with improved roughness. Finally, the material was tested in vivo as an ophthalmic orbital implant, demonstrating good biocompatibility, good degree of biointegration with surrounding eyeball tissues, and no signs of rejection after as long as 180 days. Thus, the novel porous TiNi-based material shows promise for its use in ophthalmic implantology, for instance for manufacturing musculoskeletal stumps of the eyeball after evisceration, as it is biocompatible, has a high tissue-implant integration potential and demonstrates reduced risks of exposure and rejection of the implant.