The current performance of biodegradable magnesium-based implants in magnetic resonance imaging: A review

Abstract

Magnesium-based implants are re-emerging as a substantial amendment to standard orthopaedic implants. A brief introduction of magnesium (Mg) as a biodegradable material and basic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) principles are discussed. This review aims to highlight the current performance of these implants during examinations with MRI. We also aim to summarise comparisons between Mg-based implants with current standards to emphasise the promotion of biodegradable implants in clinical practice. A comprehensive search of current literature on Mg-based implants and the utilisation of MRI in the studies was performed. Additionally, recorded artefact behaviour of Mg-based implants during MRI was investigated. A total of nine studies were included in which MRI was employed to image Mg-based implants. Of those studies, four of the nine discuss artefact production caused by the implants. MRI successfully imaged regions of interest over all and produced fewer artefacts than other materials used in the studies. MRI was employed in contrast angiography, bone growth observation, bone infection healing, and blood perfusion. Imaging capabilities of an implant material are vital to translating products into clinical application. Positive findings presented in this review suggest and support the use of Mg-based implants due to their successful visual compatibility with MRI techniques.

Biodegradable Bone Implants as a New Hope to Reduce Device-Associated Infections—A Systematic Review

“…All over the world, year after year, millions of people improve their lives through surgical procedures involving medical device implantation [ 29 ]. The implantable materials shall fulfill some requisites so that the surgery goals can be met, such as biocompatibility [ 36 ], not eliciting negative biological responses, and maintenance of an adequate function altogether [ 37 , 38 ]. Biomaterials used in medical implants are meant to improve their features [ 39 , 40 ].…”

“…The rising demand for implants and biomaterials across the globe, allied to incessant development in the field of Material Science and Engineering, has been responsible for great leaps forward in the medical implants field and their introduction into medical practice [ 29 , 36 ]. Not only in orthopedics but implants are also being used in other medical fields, whether in the form of catheters, pacemakers, cardiovascular stents, medication reservoirs, monitoring body functions, providing support and stimulating organs and tissues or even as tools for cosmetic or dental purposes [ 36 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. The biomaterials used in implantable devices comprise metals, ceramics and polymers, based on metallic, ionic and covalent bonds, respectively [ 29 ], metals being the most preferred materials [ 44 ].…”

“…Stainless steel, titanium and cobalt-chromium alloys have dominated the market as orthopedic implant materials [ 44 , 45 ]. However, magnesium, a safely biodegradable in vivo and lightweight material, has recently been emerging as a good alternative due to its special properties, especially when combined with other elements such as calcium, zinc, manganese, strontium, tin and silver, which have been introduced to reduce corrosion and increase strength [ 36 ].…”

Evaluating metallic artefact of biodegradable magnesium-based implants in magnetic resonance imaging

“…Metallic implants made of materials, like Mg, have shown to cause image artefacts due to the inherent magnetic susceptibility of the material. However, their impact on MRI quality is less compared to other current permanent metallic implants [ 13 ].…”

Osteoinduction Evaluation of Fluorinated Hydroxyapatite and Tantalum Composite Coatings on Magnesium Alloys

“…However, the inert materials often need to be removed via invasive secondary surgeries once the bone has healed completely. Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have attracted significant research attention as potential metallic implants and GBRs (guide osteogenesis membranes) due to exceptionally light weight, in vivo degradation, and excellent mechanical characteristics which can simulate natural bone (Zhang et al, 2015;Liu et al, 2016;Espiritu et al, 2021). In addition, Mg, an element essential for the metabolic process in the human body, primarily exists in bone tissue, stimulates bone cell proliferation, and enhances bone regeneration.…”