Graded Materials for Additive Manufactured multi-Material implant Applications

The overall objective in this project is to develop a new multi-material 3D printing technology using materials based on new polymers including hydrogels and polymer-ceramic composites and with tailored surface properties to be used in implants for total knee replacements (TKR) meeting these requirements. Here, biocompatibility behaviour, biodegradability on the one hand and mechanical strength, tribological properties, adhesion behaviour and weight and the implantation of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) rules play a key role. In order to meet the requirements of the products in the focus of this proposal the development of functional materials is accompanied by the development of the printing equipment which will need to be capable of printing reliably, reproducibly, cost-efficiently and with a satisfactory speed materials with functionally graded properties in bulk and surface. Surface properties, which are of crucial importance for the tribological behaviour and the osseointegration of the implant can be controlled by the choice of the material and the printing process parameters. To enhance patients comfort, decrease the number of resurgeries and improve the engraftment, it is necessary to mimic the tissue replaced by the implant at its best. Thus, a further “biologisation” of the implant is necessary. Copolymers based on PEOT-PBT and hydrogels as a tidemark between the implant and the surrounding tissue. Abalonyx' Reduced graphene oxide is to be pillared in order to serve as a slow-release host certain additives. Post-treatments include cross-linking of polymer chains on the surface of printed fibres thus enhancing mechanical stability of the printed product and adhesion promotion in order to improve cell attachment on the implant or improve adhesion between components consisting of several different materials, e.g. bone and cartilage replacements.