Antimicrobial and regenerative laser-textured bulk metallic glass biomaterials

2021年，英国共进行了181，823例髋关节和膝关节置换手术。不幸的是，这些手术中有11，083例（6%）是由于植入物失败而进行的翻修。无菌性松动占这些翻修的4，239例，而感染占这些翻修的2，455例。总之，由于骨结合不良或感染导致的植入物松动占所有髋关节和膝关节置换术失败的60%以上。每年有成千上万的患者接受这些手术，并且预计数量还将增长，因此显然需要新的技术，既能促进骨形成，又能预防感染。目前用于植入物的金属是基于传统的晶体合金（例如不锈钢）。最近的研究进展导致了具有无序原子结构的金属合金的发展，称为块体金属玻璃（BMG）。BMG表现出高强度、聚合物样的可成形性和增强的抗疲劳/耐腐蚀性，使它们对医疗器械具有吸引力。当与新兴技术相结合时，如工程纳米形貌，医疗器械领域有可能发生重大变化。然而，很少有人知道如何使用激光烧蚀纳米图案化BMG，影响其结构，性质和生物反应。该研究的目的是研究激光消融如何影响BMG的结构和性能;并优化表面形貌，以防止细菌定植，同时鼓励骨再生。

In the UK in 2021, 181,823 hip and knee replacement surgeries were performed. Unfortunately, 11,083 (6%) of these surgeries were revisions due to failed implants. Aseptic loosening accounted for 4,239 of these revisions whilst infection accounted for 2,455 of these revisions. Taken together, loosening of implants due to poor osseointegration or infection accounts for over 60% of all hip and knee replacement failures. With hundreds of thousands of patients undergoing these procedures annually and the number expected to grow, there is a clear need for novel technologies that both encourage bone formation but also prevent infections.The current metals used for implants are based on conventional crystalline alloys (e.g. stainless steel). Recent research advances have resulted in the development of metal alloys that have a disordered atomic structure, known as bulk metallic glasses (BMGs). BMGs exhibit high strength, polymer-like formability and enhanced fatigue/corrosion resistance, making them attractive for medical devices. When combined with emerging technologies, such as engineered nanotopographies, there is potential for a step-change in the field of medical devices. Little is known, however, how nanopatterning BMGs using laser-ablation, influence its structure, properties and biological responses. The aims of this studentship are to characterise how laser-ablation influences BMG structure and properties; and optimise surface topographies to prevent bacterial colonisation whilst encouraging bone regeneration.