Biodegradable 3D porous zinc alloy scaffold for bone fracture fixation devices

Abstract

et al., 2016) metal that has potential implant applications such as bone fracture fixation devices. Being an essential nutrient for human body, zinc is required for many different biological functions such as wound healing (Andrews & Gallagher-Allred, 1999), cell proliferation and DNA stabilization (MacDonald, 2000; Wu & Wu, 1987). Furthermore, zinc possesses anti-inflammatory effects and is haemocompatible and used by the human body as a hormone mediator (Beyersmann & Haase, 2001; Tapiero & Tew, 2003). Although the daily recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for zinc is limited to 8-11 mg/day, zinc overdose (10 times the RDA) has shown no adverse effects in humans (Samman & Roberts, 1987). In fact, a study has shown that high concentrations of zinc prevent conditions like osteoporosis (Luo et al., 2014). The physical and mechanical properties of metallic zinc (density = 7.14 g/cm 3 ; young's modulus = 70 GPa, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) = 126-246 MPa; Porter, 1991) are similar to those of other metallic implant materials. For orthopaedic temporary implants for bone fracture fixation (e.g. bone plates), the implant material should possess excellent load-bearing capacity during service.

Zinc based biodegradable metals for bone repair and regeneration: Bioactivity and molecular mechanisms

“…Compared to bulk Zn-based BMs, porous Zn-based scaffolds have been proposed and examined for bone tissue regeneration over the years [ 199 ]. Porous Zn scaffolds can be fabricated through various techniques, including air pressure infiltration [ 199 , 200 ], powder metallurgy with spark plasma sintering [ 201 , 202 ], infiltration casting [ 203 , 204 ], hot-pressing sintering [ 204 ], and additive manufacturing [ 205 ]. Additionally, novel Zn-based scaffolds have been developed and explored in vivo , as summarized in Table 2 .…”

Full-thickness osteochondral defect repair using a biodegradable bilayered scaffold of porous zinc and chondroitin sulfate hydrogel

“…Zn is an essential trace element in the human body, playing a crucial role in various fundamental biological processes, such as nucleic acid metabolism, signal transduction, and gene expression. Additionally, Zn enhances the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, with 86% of its mass present in skeletal muscle and bone [ [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] ]. , Zn-based materials exhibit superior biodegradation characteristics compared to Mg-based materials as they do not generate hydrogen gas and do not cause significant pH fluctuations [ 26 ].…”

Structure, Biodegradation, and In Vitro Bioactivity of Zn–1%Mg Alloy Strengthened by High-Pressure Torsion

“…Zinc alloys are promising materials as a basis for medical products of various functionality due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability [1][2][3]. In particular, biodegradable intravascular stents [2] and scaffolds for osteosynthesis [4] have been developed on the basis of these alloys. However, insufficient strength is the main disadvantage of low-alloyed zinc alloys, which can be used for implants, metal structures, and fasteners for osteosynthesis.…”