IFW researcher Beate Legutko: “We are working to adapt the degradation behaviour of magnesium implants to the healing processes of the human body. This is achieved through precise functionalisation, which both increases patient safety and reduces the need for follow-up procedures.”
The research project focuses on magnesium implants, which are primarily used in the field of fracture healing. The resorption of the implant material helps to avoid follow-up procedures. As the implants are subjected to mechanical loads throughout their lifecycle, it is crucial for patient safety that the degradation behaviour is adapted to the bone’s healing process. If degradation occurs too early, the implant’s supportive effect would be insufficient. On the other hand, delayed degradation can lead to the so-called stress shielding effect. In this case, the mechanical load is transferred via the implant, causing bone resorption in the area surrounding the implant.
The degradation behaviour depends significantly on the mechanical load as well as the surface properties of the implant. This project therefore investigates the influence of the manufacturing process on the surface and edge zone properties of magnesium implants and, consequently, on their degradation behaviour. The aim is to optimise the degradation kinetics under mechanical load for bone healing and patient safety by adjusting the surface and edge zone properties. The findings are intended to provide a basis for the design of magnesium implants, thereby improving patient care.
Contact:
For further information, please contact Beate Legutko on +49 511 762 18336 or by email at legutko@ifw.uni-hannover.de.
