Advances in biomaterials have enabled medical practitioners to replace diseased body parts or to assist in the healing process. In situations where a permanent biomaterial implant is used for a temporary application, additional surgeries are required to remove these implants once the healing process is complete, which increases medical costs and patient morbidity. Bio-absorbable materials dissolve and are metabolized by the body after the healing process is complete thereby negating additional surgeries for removal of implants. Magnesium alloys as novel bio-absorbable biomaterials, have attracted great attention recently because of their good mechanical properties, biocompatibility and corrosion rate in physiological environments. However, usage of Mg as biodegradable implant has been limited by its poor corrosion resistance in the physiological solutions. An optimal biodegradable implant must initially have slow degradation to ensure total mechanical integrity then degrade over time as the tissue heals. The current research focuses on surface modification of Mg alloy (MZC) by surface treatment and polymer coating in an effort to enhance the corrosion rate and biocompatibility. It is envisaged that the results obtained from this investigation would provide the academic community with insights for the utilization of bio-absorbable implants particularly for patients suffering from atherosclerosis. The alloying elements used in this study are zinc and calcium both of which are essential minerals in the human metabolic and healing processes. A hydrophobic biodegradable co-polymer, polyglycolic-co-caprolactone (PGCL), was used to coat the surface treated MZC to retard the initial degradation rate. Two surface treatments were selected: (a) acid etching and (b) anodization to produce different surface morphologies, roughness, surface energy, chemistry and hydrophobicity that are pivotal for PGCL adhesion onto the MZC. Additionally, analyses of biodegradation, biocompatibility, and mechanical integrity were performed in order to investigate the optimum surface modification process, suitable for biomaterial implants. The study concluded that anodization created better adhesion between the MZC and PGCL coating. Furthermore, PGCL coated anodized MZC exhibited lower corrosion rate, good mechanical integrity, and better biocompatibility as compared with acid etched.

Desde o início da espécie humana, houve quem procurasse auxiliar o corpo na tentativa natural de restaurar suas partes injuriadas. Um dos grandes desafios atuais é a substituição de tecidos do organismo, inclusive em áreas de lesão cutânea. Um biomaterial pode ser utilizado para melhorar, aumentar ou substituir, parcial ou inteiramente tecidos ou órgãos. A membrana de celulose bacteriana (CB) possui moldabilidade, boas propriedades mecânicas, permeabilidade seletiva, permitindo a passagem de vapor d\'água, mas impedindo a passagem de microrganismos. O colágeno (COL) vem sendo amplamente usado como material na fabricação de biomateriais. Neste trabalho obteve-se membrana e hidrogel de CB-COL, caracterizados de diferentes maneiras. Foram realizados, estudos in vivo, análises macroscópica e histológica de coberturas de CB-COL, comparando com os controles (coágulo e a pomada de colagenase), após a aplicação sobre as feridas confeccionadas no dorso de ratos. Os animais foram sacrificados depois de 3, 7, 15 e 30 dias, e os dorsos processados segundo rotina histológica para coloração em HE. As caracterizações realizadas neste trabalho (microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), análise termogravimétrica (TG), espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FT-IR) e difratometria de raios-X (DRX)) confirmaram a incorporação do COL às matrizes de CB. A avaliação macroscópica somente demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significante da reparação tecidual entre os tratamentos aos sete dias de pós-operatório, sendo que o hidrogel apresentou uma tendência para uma reparação mais rápida. Os resultados da avaliação histológica demonstraram diferença estatisticamente significante para reação inflamatória tecidual entre os tratamentos em todos os períodos estudados. Na avaliação da qualidade, quantidade e orientação das fibras colágenas, somente o período de três dias que não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante entre os tratamentos. Conclui-se com esses resultados que as duas coberturas são biocompatíveis. / Since the beginning of the human race, there was those who sought to assist the body in a natural attempt to restore yours injured parts. One of the main current challenges is the replacement of body tissues, including areas of skin lesion. A biomaterial can be used to improve, enhance or replace, partially or fully tissues or organs. The membrane of bacterial cellulose (BC) has moldability, good mechanical properties, selective permeability, allowing the passage of water vapor but preventing the passage of microorganisms. The collagen (COL) has been widely used as material in the manufacture of biomaterials. In this study was obtained hydrogel and membrane BC-COL, characterized in different ways. Were realized in vivo studies, macroscopic and histological analyzes from dressings of BC-COL, comparing with controls (clot and collagenase ointment), after applying in wounds on the backs of rats. The animals were sacrificed after 3, 7, 15 and 30 days, and the scars were processed according to histological routine to HE staining. The characterizations performed in this study (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)) confirmed the incorporation of the COL to matrices BC. The macroscopic evaluation only demonstrated statistically significant difference of tissue repair between treatments at seven days postoperative, and the hydrogel showed a trend for a faster repair. The results of the histological evaluation showed statistically significant difference in inflammatory tissue reaction between treatments in all periods studied. In quality evaluation, quantity and orientation of collagen fibers, only three days period didnt show statistically significant difference between treatments. We conclude from these results that the two dressings are biocompatible.

L’implantation de lentilles intraoculaires est le traitement substitutif standard de la cataracte toutes origines confondues. L’implantation est faite à la suite de l’extraction du cristallin par phacoémulsification. Les implants souples, en acrylates hydrophobes, à bord carrés et « 1 pièce » sont recommandés pour prévenir la survenue de complications post-opératoires telles que l’opacification capsulaire postérieure. Cette complication multifactorielle est associée à un défaut de biocompatibilité. L’acte chirurgical, la physiopathologie du patient ainsi que la forme de la lentille intraoculaire modifient l’incidence. Malgré plusieurs mesures préventives, l’incidence n’est pas nulle et la prévalence continue d’augmenter avec le temps. Des cas tardifs d’opacifications surviennent jusqu’à 9 ans après la chirurgie. Un de nos objectifs dans le cadre de ce travail était de relier cette complication tardive au mécanisme de vieillissement des implants intraoculaires. Les résultats obtenus après hydrolyse et photo-oxydation, ont montré une altération des caractéristiques du polymère avec formation de composés néoformés de faibles masses moléculaires, qui diffusent au travers du polymère et migrent vers la surface en fonction de leur polarité et leur masse moléculaire. Il en résulte la création d’un gradient de concentrations de composés hydrophiles en surface et de composés hydrophobes dans les couches inférieures de l’implant. La vitesse du mécanisme de vieillissement est directement liée aux conditions (température, intensité de photo-oxydation). Par ailleurs, nous avons démontré l’existence d’une variation inter et intra lots des caractéristiques physico-chimiques de ces implants. Ces modifications de propriétés de surface constituent une explication à la survenue des complications tardives qui est liées à une modification de la biocompatibilité des implants intraoculaires, après vieillissement / Intraocular lenses are the main treatment for cataract surgery whatever the origin. The implantation is done in the same surgical time as the lens extraction by phacoemulsification. Today, the recommended lenses are foldable acrylic copolymers with square edges and “1-piece”. This design decreases the incidence of adverse events as posterior capsular opacification (POC). This complication is multifactorial and is associated with a poor biocompatibility. The surgery and physiopathology are two others factor that impact the incidence of PCO. Despite many preventive actions, the incidence is not null and prevalence keep on increasing each year after the surgery. The late PCO cases occur until 9 years after the surgery. One of our objectives in the context of this work was to link this late complication to the aging mechanism of intraocular implants. The results obtained after hydrolysis and photo-oxidation have showed the characteristic modifications of the polymer with formation of low molecular weight compounds, which diffuse through the polymer and migrate to the surface, as a function of their polarity and their molecular weight. All these modifications have created concentration gradient. Indeed, the hydrophilic compounds have diffused on the surface and hydrophobic compounds in the implant matrix. The kinetic of the aging process is directly related to the aging conditions applied (temperature, intensity of photo-oxidation). Furthermore, we have demonstrated the existence of the variability between and within batches, of the physicochemical characteristics of these implants. These surface property modifications are an explanation for the occurrence of late complications that is related to a modification of the intraocular lenses biocompatibility after aging.

Content: Nowadays, protein-based nanoparticle as a biodegradable, biocompatible product attracts considerable interest for new uses in specialized technical areas. Gelatin is a denatured, biodegradable, and nonimmunogenic protein obtained by controlled hydrolysis of the triple-helix structure of collagen into single-strain molecules. As an amphiphilic biopolymer, gelatin can easily assemble into different kinds of aggregates under the defined pH and temperature and the resulting gelatin nanoparticles have been developed to be applied in the food industry and biomedical fields. Herein we report a novel macromolecular microsphere composites (MMC) hydrogels with the use of prepared methacrylated gelatin nanoparticles (MA-GNP) as the cross-linker. MA-GNP have the ability of chemical crosslinking by the polymerization of C=C bonds, such that the composite hydrogels can be formed by radical polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) on the surface of MA-GNP. The smooth spherical particles with an average size of ~100 nm have been synthesized through a modified two-step desolvation method as proved by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results of nuclear magnetic resonance and dynamic light scattering further confirm the presence of reactive groups (C=C bonds) in the particles and its narrow sizes distribution. The resulting composite hydrogels (MA-GNP/PAAm) are porous materials with tunable pore sizes and exhibit enhanced compressive resistance and elasticity as well. Increasing appropriately the dosage of MA-GNP reduces the equilibrium swelling ratio and improves thermal stability of the gels. Moreover, all the hydrogels exhibit prolonged blood-clotting time, nonhemolytic nature and strong suitability for cell proliferation, indicating the improved antithrombogenicity and excellent cyto-compatibility. It suggests that the novel MA-GNP/PAAm hydrogels have potential application as tissue engineer scaffold materials, and the MA-GNP can be a promising macromolecular microsphere cross-linker for application in biomedical materials. The present work not only exploits new strategies to fabricate MMC hydrogels but also advance the potential application of biodegradable gelatin-based nanoparticles in biomedical fields. Take-Away: 1. A well-dispersed methacrylated gelatin nanoparticle (MA-GNP) with an average size of ~100 nm is presented by a modified two-step desolvation method. 2. MA-GNP is readily introduced into the polyacrylamide (PAAm) system as a cross-linker to prepare macromolecular microsphere composites (MMC) hydrogels via a free radical polymerization reaction. 3. MA-GNP is an effective cross-linker, improving both the compressive resistance and elasticity of MMC hydrogels as well as the biocompatibility.

This diploma thesis is focused on dental materials used in prosthetic medicine. In the introduction, the most important characteristic of dental materials is summarised, which is biocompatibility. Further it contains distribution of nowadays used dental materials, which are oxidic ceramics and titanium alloys. It describes pitfalls of machining of those materials. Final part is devoted to process of the production of the new dental crown, from the first arrival of the patient to the machining of final product. The thesis also compares the economics of dental crown production using milling and 3D printing.

Tato práce popisuje části dentálních náhrad, lékařské pojmy, které se s nimi vážou a vysvětluje proces a problematiku koncepce a výroby těchto částí. Různé druhy biomateriálů jako kovy, keramika, polymery či kompozity jsou zde popsány, hlavní důraz je však kladen na titanové a chrom kobaltové slitiny a korozivzdorné oceli. Experimentální část nabízí 2 řešení zlepšení výroby součásti. První část experimentální části se zabývá zlepšením kvality styčné plochy pilíře zvýšením hustoty síťování součásti. Druhá část nabízí nahrazení operace frézování operací vrtání. Byly vybrány nástoje od 4 výrobců. Pro nalezení vhodného nástroje jsou provedeny 2 testy vrtání a vybrán nástroj vhodný pro obrábění titanové a chrom kobaltové slitiny.

Titanium alloys are widely used for manufacturing of bone implants. Recent studies proved superior mechanical and chemical properties of TiNb alloys. The performance of TiNb is analyzed on Ti39Nb alloy and on evaporated layers of Ti, Nb and TiNb. Performance is compared to Ti6Al4V and pure Ti. This work is focused on the early stage of a bone growth process (studied in vitro). An investigation of this early stage has not been found in any available literature. At this early stage, CaHPO4 compound is formed. This compound is accompa- nied by Mg oxide formation. It is a difference to later stage of this process (as observed in many studies) where the layer is created solely by hydroxylapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. The thermal oxidation of surface leads to a grain structure and to a rougher surface. The surface with different roughness effects growth rate depending on material. Generally, the best performance is achieved with TiNb (only polished as well as subsequently thermally oxidized), followed by Ti. 1

Durch verschiedene Modifizierungen an der Blutkontaktseite von Hohlfasermembranen sollte eine Verbesserung der Bio- und Blutkompatibilität erreicht werden. Zur Modifizierung wurden verschiedene biologisch wirksame Moleküle verwendet. Weiterhin wurden zwei Modifizerungsstrategien verfolgt. Zum einen eine Modifizierung, bei welcher das Material der Hohlfasermembran vor deren Herstellung verändert wird. Und zum anderen eine selektive Modifizierung der Blutkontaktseite nach der Herstellung der Hohlfasermembran.

M. Tech. (Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology. / Pure Ti, Nb, Zr, Al and V powders were used as starting materials. Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-34Nb-25Zr materials produced by SPS were compared on the basis of density, microstructure, biocompatibility, tensile strength and corrosion resistance. In this study, powder metallurgy (PM) processing route was used to fabricate the alloys. The processing route was mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Commercially pure metallic powders (Ti, Nb, Zr, V and Al) of different morphological features and different formulations were prepared. Powder mixing for ternary alloys with Ti as the matrix were conducted in a turbula mixer at a speed of 49 rpm. Followed by mechanical alloying of Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-34Nb-25Zr in a high energy ball mill for 5h at 500rpm, with a ball to powder ratio of 10:1. Spark plasma sintering of Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-34Nb-25Zr biomedical alloys was conducted using a hybrid spark plasma sintering furnace at a sintering temperature, heating rate, holding time and pressure of 1200°C, 100°C/min, 10min and 50MPa, respectively. Ti-34Nb-25Zr was fabricated in two ways, fully densified and porous samples. The fully densified sample was fabricated at a sintering temperature, heating rate and holding time and pressure of 1200°C, 100°C/min, 10min and 50MPa, respectively. Whereas, porous Ti-34Nb-25Zr was fabricated using NaCl space holder at a sintering temperature, heating rate, holding time and pressure of 750°C, 50°C/min, 5min and 50MPa, respectively. This was done to compare the solid and porous alloy biocompatibility behaviour. Microstructures, elemental compositions. Phase constitution of the sintered specimens were examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) equipped with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS) and an x-ray diffractometer (XRD). The microstructure of Ti-34Nb-25Zr had pores and precipitates of niobium. Relative density, micro-hardness, biocompatibility and corrosion test was also conducted on the metallographically polished cross sections of sintered specimens. Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-34Nb-25Zr alloys made from the irregularly shaped Ti powders and sintered on the hybrid sintering machine yielded higher densifications reaching up to 100 % relative densities. Hardness values ranging from 300-600Hv at a load of 0.5kg. The corrosion resistance of the alloys was higher in the range of 2-4 nA/cm2 exhibiting a passive behaviour in simulated body fluids, such as Hank’s, 0.9wt.% NaCl and eagles minimum essential + 10% fetal bovine serum (E-MEM+ 10% FBS). Biocompatibility tests were conducted (cytotoxicity by WST-1 with SaOS-2 human osteosarcoma cells, protein adsorption and surface wettability). Fibronectin adsorption was less for solid Ti and Ti-34Nb-25Zr (<2ng/mm) compared to Ti-34Nb-25Zr porous and Ti-6Al-4V (4 ng/mm). Albumin adsorption was the highest on Ti substrate (3 ng/mm) than on the fully densified and porous Ti-34Nb-25Zr surfaces followed by less adsorption on Ti-6Al-4V. Surface wettability of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V showed a high contact angle of between 93-98° compared to 86° for the Ti-34Nb-25Zr solid alloy, indicating that Ti-34Nb-Zr alloys exhibited hydrophilic behaviour. The surface wettability results correlated well to less fibronectin adsorption on Ti-34Nb-25Zr solid alloy and excellent adsorption for Ti-6Al-4V. Solid and porous Ti-34Nb-25Zr showed less cell proliferation (0.06 and 0.02% cell viability) which was possibly linked to fibronectin adsorption results. Biocompatibility behaviour of Ti-34Nb-25Zr solid and porous alloys was poorer than Ti (0.20% cell viability) and Ti-6Al-4V (0.23% cell viability). There was poor protein adsorption and cell proliferation on all the alloy substrates.

This dissertation thesis deals with the evaluation of biocompatibility and osseointegration of nanostructured titanium materials used for dental implants. Bulk material topography and surface modification of titanium are currently of intense research mainly due to the significant impact on biocompatibility and improvement of osseointegration of dental implants. In the theoretical part are described types of titanium material and different methods of its surface modification. In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and osseointegration tests are described as well. The experimental work consists of two parts of experiments. In the first experiment, we examined how grain size of nanostructured titanium material influences the behaviour of fibroblastic as well as osteoblastic cells growth on its surface. The experimentally obtained data were statistically analysed and discussed. Grain size was proven to be an important factor that influenced not only the strength of material but also its interactions with cells. The second experiment describes current methods used in the experimental evaluation of osseointegration of dental implants. The results of histological staining methods are illustrated and compared. A standardized and reproducible technique for stereological quantification of bone-implant contact...