Corrosion of Titanium Spinal Explants Is Similar to That Observed in Oil Field Line Pipe Steel: Evidence of Microbial-Influenced Corrosion In Vivo.

Current explanations of biomedical alloy degradation are focused on the physicochemical mechanisms of galvanic, pitting, crevice, and fretting corrosion. Ultimately, these studies dismiss the corrosion mechanism as a function of the local microbiome. Sixty spine hardware constructs were examined immediately after explantation for biofilm formation.

Three cases of metallosis associated with spine instrumentation.

The characteristic trait of metallosis is the presence of tissue staining. Analyzing explanted revision hardware from spine surgeries and performing ICPMS/AES analysis on removed tissue samples, a clinically relevant definition for metallosis may be developed. Results of the analysis identified hardware fretting wear and corrosion, and ICP-MS/AES analysis identified elevated metal ion concentrations in all cases.

Spine rod straightening as a possible cause for revision.

In a previous study, the authors examined the elastic and short-term anelastic springback of Ti6Al4V, CoCrMoC and A316L stainless steel spine rods to observe how the rods mechanically respond in OR contouring. In that study rods were 200 mm long and only the movement at the tip was recorded. The implication of that work was that rods will straighten in-vivo, however, in order for the mechanism of straightening to be determined, the movement of individual bends over time must first be elucidated.

Personalized implant for high tibial opening wedge: combination of solid freeform fabrication with combustion synthesis process.

In this work a new generation of bioceramic personalized implants were developed. This technique combines the processes of solid freeform fabrication (SFF) and combustion synthesis (CS) to create personalized bioceramic implants with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA). These porous bioceramics will be used to fill the tibial bone gap created by the opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO).

Evaluation of spinal instrumentation rod bending characteristics for in-situ contouring.

Bending characteristics were studied in rods used for spinal instrumentation at in-situ contouring conditions. Five groups of five 6 mm diameter rods made from: cobalt alloy (VITALLIUM), titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy (SDI™), β-titanium alloy (TNTZ), cold worked stainless steel (STIFF), and annealed stainless steel (MALLEABLE) were studied. The bending procedure was similar to that typically applied for in-situ contouring in the operating room and included two bending cycles: first--bending to 21-24° under load with further release of loading for 10 min, and second--bending to 34-37° at the previously bent site and release of load for 10 min.

Cellular response of titanium and its alloys as implants.

The cellular response of osteocytes to commercially pure titanium (α) and its alloys (α + β and β) has been tested in a culture media, and the results have been supplemented by analyses from various techniques such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopic (ICP-AES) analysis, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), metallography, and electrochemical measurements. These results have been correlated with respect to the presence of various alloying elements in these alloys to qualify them for human application. The newer β alloys have been examined for their potential use as implants.

Combustion synthesis of porous biomaterials.

This article discusses the unique material manufacturing process of self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) as applied to the making of porous biomaterials. Porous materials have long been considered as the first step toward in-vivo bone tissue engineering and the creation of patient life-time implants. The authors have approached this challenge by utilizing combustion synthesis, to create novel materials such as NiTi + TiC as well as porous forms of materials that are commonly accepted for biomedical applications such as tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite.

Gadolinium is detectable within the tissue of patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Background: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a disease of unknown etiology that affects a subset of patients with renal insufficiency. Recent publications suggested an association between exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast agents and subsequent development of NSF. We sought to detect gadolinium within the skin and soft tissue of patients with NSF who were exposed to gadolinium-based contrast.

Granulomatous reaction to titanium alloy: an unusual reaction to ear piercing.

A 68-year-old man presented with 4 firm, flesh-colored, and slightly erythematous nodules located on the superior pole and lobule of each ear. Although reluctant to provide details, it was discovered he had pierced his ears approximately 10 years earlier, and the nodules developed at the sites of the piercings. Keloids were suggested clinically and the lesions were excised.

Bone development and age-related bone loss in male C57BL/6J mice.

The objective of this study was to examine changes in the long bones of male C57BL/6J mice with growth and aging, and to consider the applicability of this animal for use in studying Type II osteoporosis. Male C57BL/6J mice were aged in our colony between 4 and 104 weeks (n=9-15/group). The right femur and humeri were measured for length and subjected to mechanical testing (3-point flexure) and compositional analysis.