Researchers at Amirkabir University of Technology have successfully created biodegradable bone stabilizers, specifically designed for use in screws, pins, and plates used in orthopedic surgeries.
According to the university's public relations report, Somayeh Abazari Sivandi, a doctoral student at the Faculty of Materials Engineering of Amirkabir University of Technology and the project manager of "Design and Manufacture of Biodegradable Magnesium Nanocomposite Bone Stabilizers Reinforced with Graphene Compounds for Orthopedic Applications," explained that various metal materials, such as stainless steels and titanium alloys, have been widely employed in biomedical applications, including joint replacements, screws, and bone stabilization plates, due to their excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility.
However, Abazari highlighted some drawbacks associated with these materials, such as the stress shielding effect caused by their higher elastic modulus compared to natural bone, as well as their non-degradability in the body's physiological environment.
To address these challenges, extensive research has been conducted over the past two decades to reduce the corrosion rate of metallic biomaterials in the human body's physiological environment. Recent advancements in bone tissue engineering have focused on the development of biodegradable materials for a wide range of medical applications. Biodegradable metals offer the necessary structural support to aid tissue repair, gradually degrading and eventually disappearing after fulfilling their role in tissue healing.
Abazari emphasized the significant advantages of using such materials in medical equipment and bone tissue engineering. The production of magnesium composite screws and pins reinforced with nanographene compounds for bone fracture repair eliminates the need for secondary surgery to remove the implant, reducing patient anxiety, stress, and the risk of bone infections during surgical procedures.
To enhance the mechanical properties, the researchers utilized alloying and powder metallurgy techniques to manufacture nanocomposites. The incorporation of graphene compounds significantly improves the antibacterial performance of the stabilizing implant against pathogens like "E.Coli" and "S. aureus." Furthermore, cell studies involving osteoblasts demonstrated enhanced cellular compatibility of the stabilizer with the addition of graphene compounds.
It is worth noting that this project was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Ali Shamsipour, a faculty member at the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Metallurgy of Amirkabir University of Technology, in collaboration with Dr. Hamidreza Bakhsheshi Rad from the Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad branch, and the Norwegian University of Technology. The findings of this groundbreaking research have been published in four reputable journals (Q1), including an article in the high-impact factor journal "Magnesium and Alloys" with an impact factor of 11.8.