Lattice materials with graded mechanical properties for the development of a novel hip-replacement implant

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On average, hip-replacements have a life span of 15-20 years, after which revision surgery is necessary. A revision surgery is undesirable, problematic and less successful than a primary replacement. Problematic is the inadequate capacity of current implants to preserve the quality of the host bone, which thus cannot sufficiently secure the revision implant into position. The aim of this research program is to develop a novel material microstructure for a total hip arthroplasty implant which can last longer, maintain the quality of the host bone, and provide a stable implant fixation. The proposed material is a titanium alloy, Ti-6AL-4V, lattice; its groundbreaking hallmark lies in the controlled gradients of material properties which are designed to match the local properties of the bone and provide unprecedented elastic and strength properties as well as superior fatigue, damage and wear resistance. The new implant will enhance the treatment of patients requiring primary and revision hip replacement, lower the need of revision surgery and the related health care cost; in case of revision surgeries, it will increase its success rate.