Research on Characterization and Biocompatibility of 3D Printed Ti-6Al-4V Pelvic Prosthesis

Abstract

The treatment of bone defects caused by fractures or bone tissue lesions has always been a difficult problem in the field of orthopedics. Implantation of high-performance titanium alloy prosthesis is an effective method to treat bone defects. 3D printing technology can produce low-modulus titanium alloy implants with porous structures, providing a better solution to the above problems. This technology is convenient to design and has a huge advantage in making orthopedic implants. The article used electron beam melting in 3D printing technology to create two samples of Ti-6Al-4V prosthesis, including solid structural pelvic prosthesis and porous structural pelvic prosthesis. The mechanical properties of the prosthesis showed that the yield and tensile strengths of the rod tensile specimen were 894 MPa and 956 MPa, respectively, and the compressive modulus and compressive strength of the porous pelvic prosthesis were 55 GPa and 65.2 MPa, respectively. The results of the L929 cytotoxicity assay and the MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion assay demonstrated good biocompatibility of the prosthetic samples. New Zealand white rabbits were used to prepare the femoral joint cavity defect models and two pelvic prostheses were implanted. A microscopic CT scan 4 weeks after implantation showed that the bone defect caused by the drill had healed and that the porous structure of the pelvic prosthesis formed a new trabecular structure within the hole. In conclusion, the 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V pelvic prosthesis has excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and the ability to promote new bone growth.