Function Of Implantation Time Research Articles

Scaffold printing using biodegradable poly(1,4-butylene carbonate) ink: printability, in vivo physicochemical properties, and biocompatibility.

This study is the first to assess the applicability of biodegradable poly(1,4-butylene carbonate) (PBC) as a printing ink for fused deposition modeling (FDM). Here, PBC was successfully prepared via the bulk polycondensation of 1,4-butanediol and dimethyl carbonate. PBC was melted above 150°C in the heating chamber of an FDM printer, after which it flowed from the printing nozzle upon applying pressure and solidified at room temperature to create a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold structure. A 3D scaffold exactly matching the program design was obtained by controlling the temperature and pressure of the FDM printer. The compressive moduli of the printed PBC scaffold decreased as a function of implantation time. The printed PBC scaffold exhibited good in vitro biocompatibility, as well as in vivo neotissue formation and little host tissue response, which was proportional to the gradual biodegradation. Collectively, our findings demonstrated the feasibility of PBC as a suitable printing ink candidate for the creation of scaffolds via FDM printing.

Resistance of silicone breast explants under cyclic compressive load as a function of implantation time and explant mass

15 micro-textured silicone breast explants are investigated in cyclic compression tests regarding their mechanical behavior. Initially a maximum load of 2.5 kN was applied to the explants in a repetitive way until failure happened. Finally the results are shown on the one hand as a correlation between the number of endured loading cycles and the implantation time. On the other hand the correlation to the explants’ mass was analyzed and described by using a power law.

Cortical and Trabecular Bone Healing Patterns and Quantification for Three Different Dental Implant Systems.

The present study hypothesized that different bone healing patterns through initial stages of osseointegration would be observed when three distinct commercially available implant systems (Nobel Groovy, Implacil, and Zimmer TSV) were used, leading to significant variations in histometric levels of total bone and new bone formation during the osseointegration process. A total of 48 implants were placed bilaterally on the tibias of eight beagle dogs and allowed to heal for 2 and 6 weeks. Following euthanasia, nondecalcified specimens were processed for morphologic and histometric evaluation. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and new bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) analyses for native and new bone were performed along the whole perimeter of each implant and separately for the cortical and trabecular bone regions. Morphologic evaluation of cortical bone presented different healing patterns and osseointegration levels for different implant systems as time elapsed in vivo. Interfacial remodeling was the chief healing pattern in Zimmer implants, while a combination of interfacial remodeling and healing chambers was observed in Nobel and Implacil implants. When trabecular bone was evaluated, similar bone healing patterns were observed between systems despite different levels of osseointegration observed as a function of implantation time, implant system, and native and/or new bone BIC and BAFO. Different implant systems led to different healing patterns during early stages of osseointegration. Such variation in pattern was more noticeable in the cortical regions compared to the trabecular regions. The variation in bone healing pattern did significantly influence overall indicators of native and new BIC and BAFO during the osseointegration process. The postulated hypothesis was accepted.

Pulsed plasma-immersion ion implantation of aluminum into VT1-0 titanium

The results from investigating the pulsed plasma-immersion ion implantation of aluminum into VT1-0 titanium are presented. It is shown that variations in the elemental and phase composition of surface layers, their microscopic characteristics, and their mechanical properties as a function of implantation time are not monotonous but follow certain patterns. The possibility of interpreting the obtained data in terms of surface modification by metallic clusters with at least ~100 atoms generated in the gas of metal atoms evaporated from cathode spots is discussed.

Influence of Surface Nanocrystallization on Ti Ion Implantation of Pure Iron

In order to increase the depth or concentration of Ti ion implantation of pure iron, the surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT), which can fabricate a nanometer-grained surface layer without porosity and contamination in a pure iron plate, was used before ion implantation. Ti ion was implanted into the SMA treated sample and coarse-grained counterpart by using a metal vapor vacuum arc source implanter. The changing of depth and concentration of Ti was studied in a function of implantation time. By optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, the grain size of the nano structured surface was studied. Micro-hardness, friction and wear behavior of nano surface layers were studied. By energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy, the chemical composition and concentration of Ti ion in the surface implantation layer were studied. Experimental results showed that the concentration of Ti increased dramatically compared with untreated coarse-grained samples, which is attributed to the existence of higher density of defects (supersaturated vacancies, dislocations, non-equilibrium grain boundaries etc.) and compression stress field in the SMA treated nanocrystallined surface layer. The interaction between the defects and the implanted solute atoms leads to the increment of solid solubility. But the implantation depth showed inconspicuous change. It is shown that the ion range is just relevant to the energy and mass of the ion, dose of injection, the mass and density of target material.

Retrieval analysis of sequentially annealed highly crosslinked polyethylene used in total hip arthroplasty.

BackgroundFirst-generation annealed and second-generation sequentially annealed, highly crosslinked polyethylenes (HXLPEs) have documented reduced clinical wear rates in their first decade of clinical use compared with conventional gamma inert-sterilized polyethylene. However, for both types of annealed HXLPE formulations, little is known about their reasons for revision, their in vivo oxidative stability, and their resistance to mechanical degradation.Questions/purposesWe asked whether retrieved sequentially annealed HLXPE acetabular liners exhibited: (1) similar reasons for revision; (2) lower oxidation; (3) improved resistance to wear and degradation of mechanical properties; and (4) improved resistance to macroscopic evidence of rim damage when compared with acetabular liners fabricated from single-dose annealed HXLPE.MethodsOne hundred eighty-five revised acetabular liners in two cohorts (annealed and sequentially annealed) were collected in a multicenter retrieval program between 2000 and 2013. We controlled for implantation time between the two cohorts by excluding annealed liners with a greater implantation time than the longest term sequentially annealed retrieval (5 years); the mean implantation time (± SD) for the annealed components was 2.2 ± 1.4 years, and for the sequentially annealed liners, it was 1.2 ± 1.2 years. Reasons for revision were assessed based on medical records, radiographs, and examinations of the retrieved components. Oxidation was measured at the bearing surface, the backside surface, the locking mechanism, and the rim using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ASTM F2102). Penetration was measured directly using a micrometer (accuracy: 0.001 mm). Mechanical behavior (ultimate load) was measured at the superior and inferior bearing surfaces using the small punch test (ASTM F2183). We used nonparametric statistical testing to analyze for differences in oxidation, penetration rates, and ultimate load when adjusting for HXLPE formulation as a function of implantation time.ResultsThe acetabular liners in both cohorts were revised most frequently for instability, loosening, and infection. Oxidation indices (OIs) of the sequentially annealed liners were lower than annealed liners at the bearing surface (mean OI difference = 0.3; p < 0.001), the backside surface (mean OI difference = 0.2; p < 0.001), and the rim (mean OI difference = 2.6; p < 0.001). No differences were detected in linear penetration rates between the cohorts (p = 0.10). Ultimate strength at the bearing surface of the HLXPE was not different between sequentially annealed and annealed cohorts (p = 0.72).ConclusionsWe observed evidence of in vivo oxidation in retrieved annealed and, to a lesser extent, retrieved sequentially annealed acetabular liners. However, we observed no association between the levels of oxidation and clinical performance of the liners.Clinical RelevanceThe findings of this study document the oxidative and mechanical behavior of sequentially annealed HXLPE. The reduced oxidation levels in sequentially annealed liners support the hypothesis that annealing in sequential steps eliminates more free radicals. However, as a result of the short-term followup, analysis of longer-term retrievals is warranted.

Osteocyte density in the peri‐implant bone of implants retrieved after different time periods (4 weeks to 27 years)

Bone tissue is characterized by a constant turnover in response to mechanical stimuli, and osteocytes play an essential role in bone mechanical adaptation. However, little to no information has been published regarding osteocyte density as a function of implantation time in vivo. The aim of this retrospective histological study was to evaluate the osteocyte density of the peri-implant bone in implants retrieved because of different reasons in a time period from 4 weeks to 27 years. A total of 18 samples were included in the present study. Specimens were divided into 3 groups depending on the loading history of the implants: loading between 4 weeks and 7 months (group 1); loading between 1 and 5 years (group 2); loading between 14 and 27 years (group 3). All the samples were histologically evaluated and osteocyte density was obtained using the ratio of the number of osteocytes to the bone-area (mm(2) ). The osteocyte density values significantly increased in the Group 2 (1-5 years) compared with Group 1 (4 weeks-7 months), and significantly decreased in the Group 3 (14-27 years) compared to Group 2. No significant differences were detected between Group 1 and Group 3. The decrease in osteocyte density observed in samples that were in vivo for long periods of time under loading is possibly because of the fact that once the bone structure is well aligned and biomechanically competent, a lower number of osteocytes are necessary to keep the tissue homeostasis under loading.

Structural changes of Si surfaces by nitrogen implantation using plasma based ion implantation

Nitrogen ion implantation to Si wafers is carried out by a plasma based ion implantation (PBII) and the compositional and structural changes of the Si surfaces are examined as a function of implantation time by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The implantation time is varied from 10min to 7h. From the results of EDX measurements, the N concentration is increased with increasing implantation time up to 1h, but it is not significantly increased at further increase of implantation time. In the Raman spectra, the sharp peak from Si crystal is decreased in intensity and the small peaks from a-Si and/or a-SiNx appear after N ion implantation. On the other hand, in the FT-IR spectra, a broad peak assigned to Si–N bonds appears after N ion implantation. The result of RBS measurement indicates that the N/Si ratio is approximately 1.3. Judging from these results, it is suggested that a-SiN1.3 is formed as a surface layer on Si wafer by N ion implantation using PBII system.

Polymethylene-co-guanidine based capsules: A mechanistic study of the formation using alginate and cellulose sulphate

Capsules have been prepared based on a polyanion blend of sodium alginate and sodium cellulose sulphate, gelled in the presence of calcium chloride and sodium chloride. In a second step a membrane was formed via the addition of polymethylene-co-guanidine (PMCG), an oligocation. A mechanistic study examined the influences of pH, ionic strenght, gelation and reaction times as well as the molar mass of the polyanions on the transport and mechanical properties. The ratio of alginate-to-cellulose sulphate in the polyanion blend was also varied and it was found that both mechanical resistance to compression as well as the pore size of the membrane decreased as the percentage of cellulose sulphate was reduced. The maximum mechanical strength was observed to correspond to the minimum in viscosity of the polyanion blend with, for low NaCl levels, a 3:1 alginate:cellulose sulphate level providing the largest resistance to deformation. The ability to decouple the molar mass cut-off and mechanical resistance is viewed as an important advantage of alginate/cellulose sulphate/PMCG capsules. Capsules were transplanted into mice to a maximum of 102 days, after which animals were sacrificed and capsules retrieved. Over 90% of the capsules were recovered from the peritoneal cavity with the mechanical properties of the explanted capsules observed to decrease as a function of implantation time, likely as a result of ion exchange. The capsules were, however, relatively free from any rejection which is a quite unusual result for cation containing systems. It is believed that the reason PMCG-based microcapsules function well in vivo is that they provide a net negative charge on the surface. Higher molar mass polycations such as poly-L-lysine provide a net positive charge, inducing inflammation.

Thrombogenic Performance of a St. Jude Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve in a Sheep Model

The sheep model is preferred for chronic evaluation of prosthetic heart valves, surgical techniques, and endocardiographic studies. A bileaflet mechanical heart valve (MHV) was implanted into a sheep model to study its in vivo performance and to evaluate the thrombogenic potential of the valve. Transesophageal echocardiography and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography measurements were conducted before and after the valve implantation. Platelet activity state (PAS) assay measurements were also conducted before and after the implantation surgery. After sheep euthanasia, the MHV was explanted and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed on the explanted valve to examine changes to the MHV surface. Tissue blocks were taken from the sheep brain, left ventricle, aorta, spleen, and lung lobes for histological examination. Our results indicated that after the MHV implantation, more embolic signals were detected in the sheep carotid artery, increasing monotonously as a function of implantation time. Echocardiographic parameters including blood aortic velocity, transvalvular pressure gradient, and velocity time integral increased. PAS increased significantly after valve implantation. SEM pictures demonstrated calcium and phosphate deposition on the valve surfaces. Histological examination demonstrated hemorrhage in the lung tissue, pulmonary thrombosis, and osteogenesis in heart tissue.

In vivo magnetic resonance imaging and relaxometry study of a porous hydrogel implanted in the trapezius muscle of rabbits.

In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and relaxometry were performed to assess noninvasively the tissue reaction and the biological integration of hydrogels made of poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide] (PHPMA) after implantation in the trapezius muscle of rabbits. The benefits of incorporating RGD peptide sequences in the polymer backbone were also investigated. The histological status of each implant was probed by the trend of their transversal relaxation times, T(2), while their biocompatibility was evaluated by analyzing the host tissue response through the evolution of the relaxation times of the adjacent muscle tissue. MR results showed the good acceptability of both hydrogels by the host tissue. The transversal relaxation curves of each implant exhibited two distinct phases as a function of implantation time: (1) a monoexponential phase, dominated by the influx of fluids inside the implants; and (2) a biexponential phase related to the infiltration of cells and the granulation tissue formation within the porous structure of each polymer. These MR findings were correlated with the results of conventional histological analyses. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of MR methods in noninvasively monitoring the biocompatibility and histological status of implanted porous biomaterials.

Analysis of Explanted Silicone/Silica Composite Breast Implants

A study was conducted to examine the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of composite (silicone/silica) breast implants as a function of implantation time. In the study the properties of SILASTC®II gel-filled explants with in vivo duration times ranging from 4 months to 10 years were compared to lot-matched control (unimplanted) samples. Tensile strength properties were measured for both explant and control shells using identical testing protocols. The tensile strength properties of shells which were extracted with hexane to remove non-cross linked silicones were also measured. In addition, swelling measurements were used to determine the average molecular weight between cross-links (and/or entanglements). The tensile strength properties obtained from the present study were correlated with implantation time. The results of the study suggest that the silicone elastomer shells do not undergo appreciable degradation during in vivo aging.

Ultimate Strength Properties of Control and Explanted Silastic O and Silastic I Silicone Gel-filled Breast Implant Shells

Background: The effect of in vivo implantation on breast implants is important to both physicians and patients, but little information about the in vivo aging process of silicone gel-filled breast implants has appeared in the literature. The effects of the in vivo aging process could affect the durability of breast implants. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the mechanical and chemical properties of breast implant shells as a function of implantation time. Methods: The ultimate mechanical properties of the shells from single-lumen silicone gel-filled Silastic O and Silastic I explants with in vivo duration times ranging from 6 to 28 years were measured and compared with the corresponding properties of unimplanted control single-lumen silicone gel-filled implants. Ultimate tensile strength, elongation-to-failure, and tear resistance were measured for both explant and control shells through use of identical testing protocols. In addition, the tensile strength and elongation-to-failure of shells extracted with hexane to remove non–cross-linked silicones were measured for both explants and control implants. The ultimate strength data were plotted as a function of implantation time, along with data from other research institutions. Results: Statistical analysis of the data indicated that the ultimate mechanical properties of tensile strength, elongation-to-failure, and tear resistance are not functions of implantation time for up to 28 years of implantation. Conclusions: The results of this study show that there is no significant degradation of the mechanical properties of the elastomeric shell as a function of time.

Noninvasive follow-up of tissue encapsulation of foreign materials. Are magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy breakthroughs?

The development of sensitive and noninvasive magnetic resonance (MR) techniques for the long- and short-term evaluation of vascular prostheses requires detailed knowledge of the evolutionary trend of the MR properties of the perigraft tissue during the healing process. To characterize changes in water MR properties, the water proton relaxation times, T1 and T2, of the muscle in the vicinity of an implanted polyester material were measured as a function of implantation time. To provide better insight into interpretation of the MR results, we carried out histologic and peripheral blood cell activation studies and tissue water content measurements. The MR results illustrated the sensitivity of the relaxation times to changes in cellular response to the presence of an implant. The evolutionary trend of these MR parameters exhibited two distinct phases. The crossover from phase I to phase II occurred around 10 days postimplantation. This crossover is attributed to the transition in the inflammatory response from the acute phase to the chronic phase. During the acute phase, the very high initial T1 and T2s (the slower relaxing component of the transverse relaxation time) values decreased significantly and steadily. The value of T1 dropped by a factor of 2, whereas T2s went down by a factor of 6. During the same time, the diffusion parameter, beta, remained constant. However, during the chronic phase, the diffusion parameter increased sharply. By 30 days postimplantation, the value of beta had increased by a factor of 10. The relaxation times, on the other hand, increased steadily with implantation time. Because the current MR results provide an in vivo and noninvasive follow-up of the healing process around the polyester implant material, they will be of considerable value in the early detection of vascular graft complications by MR imaging.

Structural and in vivo mechanical characterization of canine patellar cartilage: a closed chondromalacia patellae model.

The purpose of this project was to study the relationship between the structure of the patellar cartilage and its response to static compressive loading with a closed chondromalacia patellae model. An animal model was used to induce degeneration of the patella that was monitored quantitatively and qualitatively as a function of time. Ten adult mongrel dogs had their left patellofemoral groove replaced by a customized metallic implant covered with a thin film of polyethylene for periods of 3 months (five dogs) and 6 months (five dogs). An indenter was designed to perform mechanical indentation testing on the patellar cartilage in situ. The animals were anesthetized and the response of patellar cartilage to a static compressive load of 4.5 MPa was monitored for 20 min and its relaxation after load removal for 20 min. Indentation tests were performed every 3 months of the implantation period. At the end of the implantation period, the patellae were processed for histology, and sections were stained with Safranin-O indicative of the proteoglycans content. Macroscopically, no apparent degeneration or fibrillation of the patellar surfaces was observed after 3 or 6 months of implantation. However, the patellar surface showed a change in coloration after 6 months. A 17 +/- 3% and 37 +/- 8% deformation of the cartilage were calculated for the 3-month and 6-month specimens, respectively. Histologically, a progressive loss of proteoglycans was observed in the matrix as a function of implantation time. These results indicated that an increase in cartilage compliance is associated with an intrinsic remodeling of the cartilage matrix and that these changes might occur without external signs of degeneration and can be quantified.

Prevention of graft infection by use of prostheses bonded with a rifampin/collagen release system

The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of bonding rifampin to double-velour Dacron grafts with collagen to prevent graft sepsis. Fifty 6.0 mm Dacron grafts (length 5.0 cm) impregnated with either collagen (control) or collagen plus rifampin (experimental) were implanted in dogs end-to-end into the infrarenal aorta. The dogs were divided into four groups (each with an experimental and control subdivision) as a function of time between grafting and bacterial challenge. At 2, 7, 10, or 12 days after graft implantation, sequential groups were challenged with 1.2 × 108 colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus (clinical isolate) intravenously suspended in 250 ml normal saline. Three weeks after hematogenous seeding, the grafts were sterilely harvested. One-tailed Fischer's exact test was used to compare the patency and culture-proven infection of control and antibiotic coated grafts as a function of implantation time before bactermic challenge. In the 2-day group, four of six control grafts were infected compared with zero of six experimental grafts (p < 0.030). In the 7-day group, five of six control grafts were infected with S. aureus versus zero of six in the experimental group (p < 0.008). In the 10-day group, one of six experimental grafts was infected, but the control group had only two of six graft infections. In the 12-day group two of six experimental grafts and one of five control grafts were infected. These results indicate that rifampin bonded with collagen to knitted Dacron grafts will protect the graft from bacteremic infection for 7 days after implantation in a highly challenging model. After 7 days accelerated healing of the collagen graft surface may, in itself, protect against delayed bacterial seeding.

Pressure resistance of breast implants as a function of implantation time.

Using a relatively simple test, breaking pressures of 50 gel-filled breast implants that had to be removed have been evaluated. These pressures values were compared with forces generated in executing closed capsulotomy (nutcracker method). It is shown that there is a negative correlation between pressure resistance of breast implants and duration of implantation. After an implantation time of more than five years, our advice is to perform closed capsulotomy if done in a very gentle way, and implant rupture then certainly has to be taken into account.

Pressure Resistance of Breast Implants as a Function of Implantation Time

van Rappard, Julien H. A. M.D., Ph.D.; Sonneveld, G. J. M.D.; van Twisk, R. M.D.; Borghouts, J. M. H. M. M.D., Ph.D.

Barrière hématotesticulaire (blood–testis barrier) et variations de perméabilité du compartiment gonial dans le follicule testiculaire de Locusta migratoria implanté en milieu dépourvu d'ecdystéroïdes

In Locusta migratoria, the testicular follicle is made on an apical compartment that contains the youngest germ cells and a basal one in which the spermatids differentiate. As soon as it is formed during the fourth larval stage, the latter compartment becomes impervious to exogenous macromolecules. This permeability barrier, which corresponds to the blood–testis barrier defined in mammals, depends on extensive septate junctions. In this paper, testicular follicles were cultured in vivo in adult males known to be free of hemolymphatic ecdysteroids. The permeability of the apical compartment to horseradish peroxidase, used as a tracer, varied as a function of implantation time. This apical compartment became impermeable as soon as the basal compartment cells were postmeiotic. Once implanted into an adult host, a follicle that contained only gonia completed normal spermatogenesis and established a blood–testis barrier, providing a tight compartment in which meiotic processes occurred. Septate junctions developed normally. These results show that ecdysterone controls neither the differentiation of septate junctions nor the establishment of the blood–testis barrier, which appear both to be conditioned by the initiation of meiosis.

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE SECRETION IN THE OVARIECTOMIZED RAT IMPLANTED WITH OESTRADIOL

Implantation of a solid source of oestradiol into ovariectomized rats produced constant plasma concentrations of the hormone over a long period of time. Under these conditions, LH is released in a circadian pattern with a very marked peak in the afternoon. This circadian rhythm is synchronized to the light--darkness cycle, since it follows exactly a shift in the nycthemeral cycle. The first peak appeared on day 3 after placement of the oestrogen implant; its amplitude was constant from days 3 to 9 after implantation, and decreased gradually during prolonged implantation. The afternoon peak was not correlated with changes in the pituitary sensitivity to exogenous LH releasing hormone (LH-RH), since the LH response to increasing doses of the peptide could be superimposed in the morning and in the afternoon. However, the decreased amplitude of the rhythm observed after more than 9 days of implantation seemed to depend upon a progressive desensitization of the pituitary gland to LH-RH. Pituitary LH content also decreased as a function of implantation time. It is concluded that, under conditions of constant plasma oestradiol concentrations and of constant pituitary sensitivity to LH-RH, a daily activation of the neural trigger releasing pituitary gonadotrophins occurs.