Abstract Scope |
Titanium has experienced clinical success as a bone implant material due to its high fracture toughness, excellent corrosion resistance, and favorable biological integration properties. However, titanium has demonstrated drawbacks in implant reliability via stress shielding and poor osseointegration. In this work, direct-ink writing (DIW) of a Ti + NaCl powder blend - followed by dissolution of NaCl space holder and Ti powder sintering – generates microlattices with porous struts. The millimeter-wide channels within the printed lattice (macroporosity) allows for nutrient transport and vasculature growth; the space-holder microporosity within the struts provides a size (~100 m), roughness, and morphology enabling colonization of osteoblastic cells, thus increasing osseointegration while also reducing implant stiffness (and stress shielding), e.g., for the application of intervertebral implants. |