Self-Healing Orthopaedic Metallic Implant

In India, orthopaedic surgeons are facing a huge number of cases related to bone injury, infections, neo-plastic, degenerative, and metabolic conditions. Additionally, the increase in patients with diabetes, obesity, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis is further expanding the clinical needs. The orthopaedic implant market can be broadly divided into four major segments based on the area of treatment: Trauma, Spine, Knee, and Hip. The market shared approximately an equal ratio between the Trauma & Spine segments on the one hand and the knee and hip joints on the other. The present work aims at the fabrication and testing of Ti6Al4V alloy (most commonly used biomaterial) based on bio-implants for improved bio-functionality. This will be achieved through 3D printing of Ti6Al4V alloy material, and to attain the desired microstructural and mechanical properties, composite surface coatings of a bioactive material will be applied. The resulting specimens are intended to have improved anti-wear properties and bioactivity in terms of osseointegration capability and antimicrobial properties, combined with mechanical properties emulating human bone.