An in vivo preclinical study assessing biocompatibility of Pd-based bulk metallic glass

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Witek, Lukasz^{a; b;} | Vivekanand Nayak, Vasudev^{a; c} | Rodriguez Colon, Ricardo^d | Torroni, Andrea^e | Demetriou, Marios D.^f | Coelho, Paulo G.^{g; h}

Affiliations: [a] Biomaterials Division, Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA | [b] Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA | [c] Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA | [d] Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA | [e] Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA | [f] Department of Materials Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA | [g] Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA | [h] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Lukasz Witek, Biomaterials Division - New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA; E-mail: lukasz.witek@nyu.edu

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The bulk metallic glass (BMG), Pd79Ag3.5P6Si9.5Ge2, has a high fracture toughness and has been found to accommodate post-yield stress, unlike most other BMG. Moreover, due to its greater noble gas composition it has a intrinsic corrosion resistance, ideal for dental and orthopedic implants. OBJECTIVE:This present study aimed to evaluate the in vivo application of Pd79Ag3.5P6Si9.5Ge2 in a large translational sheep model to assess its efficacy to be utilized as an endosteal device. METHODS:Twelve implants in the form of cylindrical rods (3 mm in diameter) were produced through rapid quenching. Each sheep (n = 12) received one osteotomy in the mandibular region using rotary instrumentation, which was filled with Pd79Ag3.5P6Si9.5Ge2. After 6- and 24-weeks the animals were euthanized, and samples collected en bloc to conduct histomorphometric analysis. The degree of osseointegration were assessed through bone-to-implant contact (BIC). RESULTS:All samples revealed favorable BIC along with with fibrous connective tissue layers at both 6- and 24-weeks. Bone along with interfacial remodeling was observed in proximity with the metallic glass surface at 6 weeks with higher degrees of bone organization being observed at the later healing time, 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS:The synthesized BMG, given its unique combination of toughness and strength, revealed potential to serve as an alternative to commonly used Ti alloys.

Keywords: Bulk metallic glass, medical implants, in vivo

DOI: 10.3233/BME-221392

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 215-223, 2023