Lec 9
Lec 9
Lec 9
IMPLANTS
TECHNOLOGY
• ISI 316 steel should contain molybdenum between 2.0% and 3.5%.
Testing of Implants
2. Chemical Testing
A. Molybdenum Detection Test :
• “Mini-Moly Detector” kit consists of an especially developed
electrolyte solution and electrodes with a portable dry cell power
source.
• The test procedure is as follows.
• A drop of the electrolyte is placed on the stainless steel under test, and the
electrodes are placed against the electrolyte solution; to turn pink or rosy
red. If molybdenum is present, the drop will retain its color and if not, the
color will fade rapidly.
Testing of Implants
2. Chemical Testing
B. Molybdenum Percentage Estimation
• This can be carried out by various metal testing laboratories in all major
cities. (e.g. Spectrophotometry: reagents are added, if intensity of reagent
color increase molybdenum percentage is high; X-Ray diffraction: amount of
x-ray absorbed is measured)
C. Corrosion Test (Aqua Regia)
• It contains hydrochloric acid and nitric acid in the proportion of 3:1, and it is
a strong solvent.
• If the implants are of identical alloys, they should dissolve identically. The
percentage loss is estimated and compared with the standard one.
Testing of Implants
3. Structural Characteristics
• These are considered under the following two heads:
1. Design specification
2. Mechanical stability
1. Design Specification:
• ISI has laid down specifications for each implant.
• For example, bone screw can be checked against the following points:
• Angle and diameter of the head
• Slots
• Thread diameter
• Core diameter
• Edge width
• Angle of the thread and pitch
• Angle of the tip.
2. Mechanical Stability:
Geometry of the bone plates with regard to the location of screw holes, thickness and acute
bends are studied and compared with the ISI specifications.
Testing of Implants
4. Biological Compatibility
• ISI has specified methods for testing biological compatibility of
metals for surgical implants.
• Magnetic implants are liable to corrode by reaction in the body and
hence should be rejected.
• In the process of buffing and subsequent cleaning, the magnetic
particles would be wiped away and the implant should become
nonmagnetic
• Regarding mechanical stability, certain biomechanical principles
need to be strictly adhered to.
• They are:
1. Holes in the plates are potential sites of weakness
2. Thicker the plate, more rigid it is
3. Acute angles (less than 90 degree) and sharp bends in the
implants should be avoided
4. One piece implant is better mechanically than joined implant.