Laser additive manufacturing of modified implant surfaces with osseointegrative characteristics

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing technology, such as Selective Laser Melting, allows fabrication of complex metal parts with freeform surfaces. Using biocompatible metal alloys, e.g. TiAl6V4, medical implants can be produced. To increase osseointegrative behavior the ability to fabricate filigree lattice structures can be utilized to achieve a modified implant surface. In order to increase dimensional accuracy when applying a lattice structure on a curved surface, process constraints for single lattice bars are studied. The investigated lattice structure was thereupon applied on the surface of a medical implant. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.