Bisphenyl-Polymer/Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Composite Compared to Titanium Alloy Bone Implant. (31st July 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petersen, Richard C.
• Other Names: Wang Shanfeng Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of polymer science. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-07-31
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymers; Periodicals; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/168924
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-9422

Abstract

Abstract : Aerospace/aeronautical thermoset bisphenyl-polymer/carbon-fiber-reinforced composites are considered as new advanced materials to replace metal bone implants. In addition to well-recognized nonpolar chemistry with related bisphenol-polymer estrogenic factors, carbon-fiber-reinforced composites can offer densities and electrical conductivity/resistivity properties close to bone with strengths much higher than metals on a per-weight basis. In vivo bone-marrow tests with Sprague-Dawley rats revealed far-reaching significant osseoconductivity increases from bisphenyl-polymer/carbon-fiber composites when compared to state-of-the-art titanium-6-4 alloy controls. Midtibial percent bone area measured from the implant surface increased when comparing the titanium alloy to the polymer composite from 10.5% to 41.6% at 0.8 mm, P < 10 − 4, and 19.3% to 77.7% at 0.1 mm, P < 10 − 8 . Carbon-fiber fragments planned to occur in the test designs, instead of producing an inflammation, stimulated bone formation and increased bone integration to the implant. In addition, low-thermal polymer processing allows incorporation of minerals and pharmaceuticals for future major tissue-engineering potential.