Bioactive silicon nitride: A new therapeutic material for osteoarthropathy

Abstract

While the reciprocity between bioceramics and living cells is complex, it is principally governed by the implant’s surface chemistry. Consequently, a deeper understanding of the chemical interactions of bioceramics with living tissue could ultimately lead to new therapeutic strategies. However, the physical and chemical principles that govern these interactions remain unclear. The intricacies of this biological synergy are explored within this paper by examining the peculiar surface chemistry of a relatively new bioceramic, silicon nitride (Si3N4). Building upon prior research, this paper aims at obtaining new insights into the biological interactions between Si3N4 and living cells, as a consequence of the off-stoichiometric chemical nature of its surface at the nanometer scale. We show here yet unveiled details of surface chemistry and, based on these new data, formulate a model on how, ultimately, Si3N4 influences cellular signal transduction functions and differentiation mechanisms. In other words, we interpret its reciprocity with living cells in chemical terms. These new findings suggest that Si3N4 might provide unique new medicinal therapies and effective remedies for various bone or joint maladies and diseases.

Incorporating Si3N4 into PEEK to Produce Antibacterial, Osteocondutive, and Radiolucent Spinal Implants

“…Similarly, the interaction between PEEK/β‐Si 3 N 4 and SaOS‐2 cells, which includes the elution of orthosilicate molecules from the Si 3 N 4 ceramic particles, is provided in Figure c; while in Figure d is an enlarged view of the chemical interaction between the cell membrane and the biological environment in the vicinity of the Si 3 N 4 particles. This last figure also envisages the formation of endocytotic vesicles around orthosilicate clusters and silicon quantum dots (Si‐QDs) which were detected in SaOS‐2 cell grown bony tissue reported in a previous study …”

Rapid Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Silicon Nitride, Copper, and Aluminum Nitride

“…Load-bearing Si3N4 prosthetic hip bearings and spinal fusion implants were initially developed because of the superior strength and toughness of Si3N4 [50]. Later studies showed other properties of Si3N4 that are favored in designing orthopaedic implants, such as enhanced osteoconductivity [51][52][53][54] and bacteriostasis [14,[55][56][57][58][59][60]. Taken together, these data suggest that Si3N4's surface chemistry, previously known to contribute concurrent upregulation of osteogenic activity and prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, is also quite effective against viruses.…”

CMOS Nanophotonic Sensor With Integrated Readout System

“…The PD output voltage was found to be stable throughout this period (not shown here). This work can be extended to perform biological assays as the nanophotonic sensors are made of silicon nitride which can be functionalized for a range of biosensing experiments [25], [26].…”