A 3D-printed surgical implant developed in the US destroys 87 per cent of the bacteria that cause staph infections whilst remaining strong and compatible with surrounding tissue.
Traditional methods, such as topical or systemic antibiotic administration, may not be effective in preventing colonization, even though it is a major cause of failure and clinical complications for load-bearing metallic orthopedic implants. This is especially true in the case of secondary infection, which frequently necessitates surgical removal of the implants and, in extreme cases, even limb amputation.
3D-Printed, Infection-Resistant Metals for Implants Developed miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A novel surgical implant developed by WSU researchers was able to kill 87% of the bacteria that cause staph infections in laboratory tests, while remaining strong and compatible with surrounding tissue like current implants.
<p>A novel surgical implant was able to kill 87% of the bacteria that cause staph infections in laboratory tests, while remaining strong and compatible with surrounding tissue like current implants. The work could someday lead to better infection control in many common surgeries, such as hip and knee replacements, that are performed daily around the world. Bacterial colonization of the implants is one of the leading causes of their failure and bad outcomes after surgery. Using 3D-printing technology, the WSU researchers added 10% tantalum, a corrosion-resistant metal, and 3% copper to the titanium alloy typically used in implants. When bacteria come into contact with the material’s copper surface, almost all of their cell walls rupture. Meanwhile, the tantalum encourages healthy cell growth with surrounding bone and tissue leading to expedited healing for the patient. The researchers spent three years on a comprehensive study of their implant, assessi