Porous Tantalum and Titanium in Orthopedics: A Review

Abstract

Porous metal is metal with special porous structures, which can offer high biocompatibility and low Young’s modulus to satisfy the need for orthopedic applications. Titanium and tantalum are the most widely used porous metals in orthopedics due to their excellent biomechanical properties and biocompatibility. Porous titanium and tantalum have been studied and applied for a long history until now. Here in this review, various manufacturing methods of titanium and tantalum porous metals are introduced. Application of these porous metals in different parts of the body are summarized, and strengths and weaknesses of these porous metal implants in clinical practice are discussed frankly for future improvement from the viewpoint of orthopedic surgeons. Then according to the requirements from clinics, progress in research for clinical use is illustrated in four aspects. Various creative designs of microporous and functionally gradient structure, surface modification, and functional compound systems of porous metal are exhibited as reference for future research. Finally, the directions of orthopedic porous metal development were proposed from the clinical view based on the rapid progress of additive manufacturing. Controllable design of both macroscopic anatomical bionic shape and microscopic functional bionic gradient porous metal, which could meet the rigorous mechanical demand of bone reconstruction, should be developed as the focus. The modification of a porous metal surface and construction of a functional porous metal compound system, empowering stronger cell proliferation and antimicrobial and antineoplastic property to the porous metal implant, also should be taken into consideration.

Implantable PEKK/tantalum microparticles composite with improved surface performances for regulating cell behaviors, promoting bone formation and osseointegration

“…Recent decades, tantalum (Ta) has been subjected to increasing interest as an implantable material for a variety of applications in orthopedics because of the excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and low bacterial adhesion as compared with those of stainless-steel and titanium (Ti) implants [ 1 ]. Currently, Ta is extensively applied as suture wires, cranioplasty plates and artificial joints as well as radiopaque markers, for surgical purposes [ 2 ].…”

Recent Trends in the Development of Bone Regenerative Biomaterials

“…In recent years, a new type of "bone trabecular metal"porous tantalum (Ta) has attracted great attention, because it has good biocompatibility, ideal modulus of elasticity, corrosion resistance, and high porosity (Han et al, 2019), which promote cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation; form rich extracellular matrix; and enhance the early biological fixation in both research and clinical applications (Balla et al, 2010a,b;Fraser et al, 2019;Tang et al, 2020). Guo et al (2019) used selective laser melting (SLM) technology to manufacture porous Ta scaffolds with a pore size of 400 µm.…”

Current Trends in Improving of Artificial Joints Design and Technologies for Their Arthroplasty

“…Despite the fact that additive manufacturing techniques for implants are in the initial stage of development, it can be argued that in the future they will be a powerful means of creating structures with a porous structure, optimal not only in relation to mechanical properties, but also to biocompatibility, bioactivity, and, if necessary and biodegradability (Yuan et al, 2018). Currently, studies of such structures during the replacement of various parts of the body are accumulating, their strengths and weaknesses are being evaluated, and the prospects for their use and improvement from the point of view of orthopedic surgeons are being actively discussed (Han et al, 2019).…”