title: Bioactive glass surface for fiber reinforced composite implants via surface etching by Excimer laser.
abstract: Biostable fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) prepared from bisphenol-A-glycidyldimethacrylate (BisGMA)-based thermosets reinforced with E-glass fibers are promising alternatives to metallic implants due to the excellent fatigue resistance and the mechanical properties matching those of bone. Bioactive glass (BG) granules can be incorporated within the polymer matrix to improve the osteointegration of the FRC implants. However, the creation of a viable surface layer using BG granules is technically challenging. In this study, we investigated the potential of Excimer laser ablation to achieve the selective removal of the matrix to expose the surface of BG granules. A UV-vis spectroscopic study was carried out to investigate the differences in the penetration of light in the thermoset matrix and BG. Thereafter, optimal Excimer laser ablation parameters were established. The formation of a calcium phosphate (CaP) layer on the surface of the laser-ablated specimens was verified in simulated body fluid (SBF). In addition, the proliferation of MG63 cells on the surfaces of the laser-ablated specimens was investigated. For the laser-ablated specimens, the pattern of proliferation of MG63 cells was comparable to that in the positive control group (Ti6Al4V). We concluded that Excimer laser ablation has potential for the creation of a bioactive surface on FRC-implants.
authors.affiliation: Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre (TCBC), Department of Biomaterials Science, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku and Biocity Turku Biomaterials Research Program and City of Turku Welfare Division, Itäinen pitkäkatu 4B (PharmaCity), FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kulkova
authors.affiliation: Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre (TCBC), Department of Biomaterials Science, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku and Biocity Turku Biomaterials Research Program and City of Turku Welfare Division, Itäinen pitkäkatu 4B (PharmaCity), FI-20520 Turku, Finland. Electronic address: niko.moritz@utu.fi.
authors.forename: Niko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.affiliation: Wihuri Physical Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, FI-20014, Finland.
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huhtinen
authors.affiliation: Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre (TCBC), Department of Biomaterials Science, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku and Biocity Turku Biomaterials Research Program and City of Turku Welfare Division, Itäinen pitkäkatu 4B (PharmaCity), FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Riina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza dell'Ospitale 1, 34129 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marsich
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paoletti
authors.affiliation: Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre (TCBC), Department of Biomaterials Science, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku and Biocity Turku Biomaterials Research Program and City of Turku Welfare Division, Itäinen pitkäkatu 4B (PharmaCity), FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Pekka K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Vallittu
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008422:Materials Testing; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C009753:fiberglass; C020243:calcium phosphate
keywords: Bioactive glass; Bisphenol-A-glycidyldimethacrylate; Excimer laser; Fiber-reinforced composites; Implant; Intramedullary nail; Laser ablation; UV laser