Interfacial effects and ingrowing behavior of magnesium-based foams as bioresorbable bone substitue material

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Hans Jürgen Maier; Professorin Dr. Andrea Meyer-Lindenberg; Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Wriggers
• Subject Area: Biomaterials
• Term: from 2015 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 271761343

Magnesium-based alloys as absorbable implants for osteosynthesis are still in the focus of national and international research groups. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated good biocompatibility. Furthermore, it has been shown that individual alloy compositions have an influence on the corrosion process. The aim of this proposal is, to study a biodegradable bone substitute based on LAE442- and MgLa2 alloys with (two different) open porous geometries and three different coatings. The scaffolds will be tested in the non-loaded and in the loaded cancellous bone. The interactions between Mg-scaffolds, coatings and host tissue in relation to biomechanics, biocompatibility and degradation will be thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, the cellular reactions within the bone substitutes will be evaluated and new bone formation will be examined histomorphometrically. Based on the results of these studies, the implant structure will be modified. Initially, these studies will be executed in an established rabbit model to obtain preliminary results. Based on those findings and after optimization of all experimental settings, additional studies will be carried out in a sheep model representative for human bone.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants