Carbonband-Implantate im Tierexperiment. Licht- und transmissionselektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur Biokompatibilität

Abstract

Part of the patella ligament was resected in rabbits and replaced by carbon fibre implants. After 1, 2, 3, 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months carbon implants with surrounding tissues as well as iliac lymph nodes were removed and examined by light- and transmission electron microscopy. Of special interest were the questions whether the carbon fibre implant, will be removed by phagocytosis and substituted by a new ligament or a adequate repair tissue? Our light- and transmission electron microscopic studies give no indication of successful removal of carbon fibres by phagocytosis. The carbon fibre implant was surrounded by dense connective tissue like a scar. In deep layers of the carbon implant was no vital dense or regular connective tissue, even not after 3 and 12 months. There is no replacement of the carbon fibre implant by a new ligament or tendon but a persistent foreign body reaction. With regard to these results it is very doubtful if good late results with ligament and tendon replacement by carbon fibre implants can be expected in patients.

In vitro and in vivo studies on biocompatibility of carbon fibres

“…Biocompatibility of CFs has been the subject of numerous researches. Some of investigators concluded that CFs induce the growth of new tissue [2], however, there were also announcements questioning biocompatibility of CFs [3–5]. The different opinions regarding biocompatibility of CFs may be explained by the use of different types of CFs of different physical, structural and chemical properties, resulting from many technological parameters [3, 6].…”

Biocompatibility and Application of Carbon Fibers in Heart Valve Tissue Engineering

“…Thus, strategic incorporation of the carbon fibers into a biodegradable scaffold can ensure the continued loadbearing function of the targeted tissue. In addition, previous invitro and in-vivo studies on the other carbon fibers have yielded controversial results showing that the carbon fibers induced the growth of new tissue (11,22) and other studies yielded opposite results (23,24). Bone, ligaments, and tendon application have been previously the main focus of biocompatibility studies for carbon fibers.…”