Comparative analysis of current 3D printed acetabular titanium implants

Abstract Background The design freedom allowed by three-dimensional (3D) printing enables the production of acetabular off-the-shelf cups with complex porous structures. The only studies on these designs are limited to clinical outcomes. Our aim was to analyse and compare the designs of different 3D...

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Main Authors: Lorenzo Dall’Ava, Harry Hothi, Johann Henckel, Anna Di Laura, Paul Shearing, Alister Hart
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-11-01
Series:3D Printing in Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41205-019-0052-0
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author Lorenzo Dall’Ava
Harry Hothi
Johann Henckel
Anna Di Laura
Paul Shearing
Alister Hart
author_facet Lorenzo Dall’Ava
Harry Hothi
Johann Henckel
Anna Di Laura
Paul Shearing
Alister Hart
author_sort Lorenzo Dall’Ava
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The design freedom allowed by three-dimensional (3D) printing enables the production of acetabular off-the-shelf cups with complex porous structures. The only studies on these designs are limited to clinical outcomes. Our aim was to analyse and compare the designs of different 3D printed cups from multiple manufacturers (Delta TT, Trident II Tritanium and Mpact 3D Metal). Methods We analysed the outer surface of the cups using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and assessed clinically relevant morphometric features of the lattice structures using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Dimensions related to the cup wall (solid, lattice and overall thickness) were also measured. Roundness and roughness of the internal cup surface were analysed with coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and optical profilometry. Results SEM showed partially molten titanium beads on all cups, significantly smaller on Trident II (27 μm vs ~ 70 μm, p < 0.0001). We found a spread of pore sizes, with median values of 0.521, 0.841 and 1.004 mm for Trident II, Delta TT and Mpact, respectively. Trident II was also significantly less porous (63%, p < 0.0001) than the others (Delta TT 72.3%, Mpact 76.4%), and showed the thinnest lattice region of the cup wall (1.038 mm, p < 0.0001), while Mpact exhibited the thicker solid region (4.880 mm, p < 0.0044). Similar roundness and roughness of the internal cup surfaces were found. Conclusion This was the first study to compare the designs of different 3D printed cups. A variability in the morphology of the outer surface of the cups and lattice structures was found. The existence of titanium beads on 3D printed parts is a known by-product of the manufacturing process; however, their prevalence on acetabular cups used in patients is an interesting finding, since these beads may potentially be released in the body.
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spelling doaj.art-be2953a6c22247a3ab36c2decb106a152022-12-22T00:35:55ZengBMC3D Printing in Medicine2365-62712019-11-015111010.1186/s41205-019-0052-0Comparative analysis of current 3D printed acetabular titanium implantsLorenzo Dall’Ava0Harry Hothi1Johann Henckel2Anna Di Laura3Paul Shearing4Alister Hart5Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, University College LondonRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalElectrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College LondonRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalAbstract Background The design freedom allowed by three-dimensional (3D) printing enables the production of acetabular off-the-shelf cups with complex porous structures. The only studies on these designs are limited to clinical outcomes. Our aim was to analyse and compare the designs of different 3D printed cups from multiple manufacturers (Delta TT, Trident II Tritanium and Mpact 3D Metal). Methods We analysed the outer surface of the cups using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and assessed clinically relevant morphometric features of the lattice structures using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Dimensions related to the cup wall (solid, lattice and overall thickness) were also measured. Roundness and roughness of the internal cup surface were analysed with coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and optical profilometry. Results SEM showed partially molten titanium beads on all cups, significantly smaller on Trident II (27 μm vs ~ 70 μm, p < 0.0001). We found a spread of pore sizes, with median values of 0.521, 0.841 and 1.004 mm for Trident II, Delta TT and Mpact, respectively. Trident II was also significantly less porous (63%, p < 0.0001) than the others (Delta TT 72.3%, Mpact 76.4%), and showed the thinnest lattice region of the cup wall (1.038 mm, p < 0.0001), while Mpact exhibited the thicker solid region (4.880 mm, p < 0.0044). Similar roundness and roughness of the internal cup surfaces were found. Conclusion This was the first study to compare the designs of different 3D printed cups. A variability in the morphology of the outer surface of the cups and lattice structures was found. The existence of titanium beads on 3D printed parts is a known by-product of the manufacturing process; however, their prevalence on acetabular cups used in patients is an interesting finding, since these beads may potentially be released in the body.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41205-019-0052-03D printingAdditive manufacturingOrthopaedic implantAcetabular cupHip Arthroplasty
spellingShingle Lorenzo Dall’Ava
Harry Hothi
Johann Henckel
Anna Di Laura
Paul Shearing
Alister Hart
Comparative analysis of current 3D printed acetabular titanium implants
3D Printing in Medicine
3D printing
Additive manufacturing
Orthopaedic implant
Acetabular cup
Hip Arthroplasty
title Comparative analysis of current 3D printed acetabular titanium implants
title_full Comparative analysis of current 3D printed acetabular titanium implants
title_fullStr Comparative analysis of current 3D printed acetabular titanium implants
title_full_unstemmed Comparative analysis of current 3D printed acetabular titanium implants
title_short Comparative analysis of current 3D printed acetabular titanium implants
title_sort comparative analysis of current 3d printed acetabular titanium implants
topic 3D printing
Additive manufacturing
Orthopaedic implant
Acetabular cup
Hip Arthroplasty
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41205-019-0052-0
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AT annadilaura comparativeanalysisofcurrent3dprintedacetabulartitaniumimplants
AT paulshearing comparativeanalysisofcurrent3dprintedacetabulartitaniumimplants
AT alisterhart comparativeanalysisofcurrent3dprintedacetabulartitaniumimplants