Product Code: ICA11_P121

Laser-Assisted Manufacturing of Bioactive Glass Implants for Cranial Defect Restoration
Authors:
J. Del Val, Applied Physics Department, University of Vigo; Vigo Spain
R. Comesaña, Applied Physics Department,University of Vigo; Vigo Spain
F. Lusquiños, Applied Physics Department, University of Vigo; Vigo Spain
F. Quintero, Applied Physics Department, University of Vigo; Vigo Spain
A. Riveiro, Applied Physics Department, University of Vigo; Vigo Spain
M. Boutinguiza, Applied Physics Department, University of Vigo; Vigo Spain
J. Pou, Applied Physics Department, University of Vigo; Vigo Spain
Presented at ICALEO 2011

The usually employed implants for restoration of skull defects are polymeric and metallic, successfully fulfilling protective and aesthetic functions; nevertheless, implant osseointegration is not achieved with these materials. In some cases, like cranial restoration in pediatric orthopedics, resorption and osseointegration of the implant is strongly desired for normal body growth. One approach consists of using bioactive ceramics, such as silicate bioactive glass. Nevertheless, traditional casting in graphite moulds employed for glass parts production is only useful for basic shapes and cannot produce warped shape implants.
We propose the application of rapid prototyping based on laser cladding to produce bioactive glass implants for low load bearing purposes. This laser-assisted technique has unique advantages for implant manufacture, like geometry tailored to patient, reduced production time and real-time regulation of the implant composition.In this work the study of bioactive glass processing by this technique was carried out. The obtained results were characterized in terms of geometry and composition by means of SEM, EDS, XRD, XRF, FT IR and Raman spectroscopy. The relationships between the processing parameters and the obtained properties were studied, in addition to the bioactivity assessment.