Subproject B01 focuses on the production of electrically active implants for bone and cartilage regeneration using additive manufacturing technology. The implants for the bone replacement are manufactured in special procedures according to different applications. For the load-bearing region (e.g. hip endoprosthesis) implants are made of a biocompatible titanium alloy provided which specifically porous structures for improved mechanical behavior and the ingrowth of the bone. In addition, the implants are coated with a novel conductive polymer and bioglass © particles to increase the electrical activity at the implant-bone interface. For the non-load bearing area, implants made of barium titanate and bioglass © will be developed. These are intended to promote natural bone growth by utilizing the piezoelectric effect, thus improving the ingrowth of the implants. For the cartilage regeneration, new types of hydrogel scaffolds incorporated with electrically conductive polymer are made additively and populated with cells. This process step is carried out by the close co-operation partner, the Chair for Biomaterials of the University of Erlangen. In addition, the working group from Erlangen has considerable expertise in dealing with bioglass © particles. The scaffolds manufactured in B01 form the basis for the work of further working groups within the collaborative research group ELAINE.

Contact:Christian Polley M.Sc.

Project term: 07/2017 - 06/2025