Development and High Resolution Characterization of Bone-Interfacing Biomaterials

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Bone-interfacing implants are essential in orthopaedic and dental applications to restore function and quality of life to patients. The bonding of these implants with bone is one of the critical factors for implant success. However, little is known about the nanoscale structural and chemical integrity of the implant-bone interface, and two-dimensional imaging methods can often lead to misinterpretation. In order to improve bone-bonding of implant materials over the long term, two areas of study will be pursued in this research. 1) The bonding mechanisms at the tissue-implant interface will be elucidated via the development and optimization of high-resolution and multi-dimensional transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. Our recent work with electron tomography will be extended to correlate the three-dimensional structural integrity of metallic interfaces to bone with its three-dimensional chemical makeup. 2) These techniques will be used to explore the relationships between the structure of newly developed nanobiomaterials (metallic and ceramic) and their properties. The role of surface topography and chemistry on the kinetics of bone-bonding will be established. By utilizing the comprehensive suite of instruments at the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy, which includes two of the world’s highest resolution microscopes, our studies will be able to probe the biomaterial surface interface with tissue to unprecedented resolution in multiple spatial, spectroscopic and temporal dimensions. This research embodies novel contributions to this field, particularly at the level of investigation proposed. Not only will this work provide nanometer and atomic resolution information on the bonding mechanisms, but it will do so in three-dimensions, reducing misinterpretation associated with commonly employed two-dimensional imaging techniques. Determining a direct relationship between nanoscale surface features, chemistry and biomineralization will have a significant benefit to the multidisciplinary field of biomaterials engineering and ultimately lead to improved implant success. These findings can ultimately provide a more in-depth knowledge of the fundamental processes of mineralization and implant bonding to bone.