Magnesium-based Metallic Foam for Biomedical Application

Magnesium-based Metallic Foam for Biomedical Application

Abstract

Metallic biomaterials continue to play an essential role to assist with the repair or replacement of natural bone that has become diseased or damaged. Metals have high mechanical strength making them better suited to load-bearing applications than polymeric biomaterials. At present, stainless steel, Co-Cr alloys and Ti alloys are three main metallic biomaterials used as bone prosthesis. Although these metals are, in monolithic form, biocompatible, fine debris particles and/or ions released over the lifetime of the implantation, coming into contact with the surrounding tissue appear to be not biocompatible. The abnormally high levels of metal ions and/or particles are believed to be associated with carcinogenic, toxic, inflammatory and allergic reactions eventually leading to the prosthesis aseptic loosening. High mechanical stiffness of the three metals is also believed to associate with bone resorption – a situation where bone around the implant becomes thinner or more porous.