Energy dispersive analysis (EDX) of a degradable bioactive-glass coating on Ti6Al4V in-vivo.

The bioactive-glass coating of metallic substrates provides a gradually degrading interface which can be used to favor the bony integration of the implant by the physiologic processes of bone turn-over and remodeling. Twelve New Zealand White rabbits, about 2700 g of weight, were operated by the sagittal insertion of a bioactive-glass coated plate of Ti6Al4V. Retrievals were performed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Undecalcified specimens were embedded in methyl-metacrylate and sectioned at 100 microns of thickness. Blocks were grinded and had an electroconductive coating to be examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), back scattering electron microscopy (BSEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy microanalysis (EDX). EDX allows to evaluate quantitatively the gradual process of coating degradation. Areas of 200 microns in square were analyzed at the interface between bone and coating to determine their elemental composition. Silicon was the key marker for the presence of the glass. Morphological analysis confirms that a tight apposition with bone can be obtained by utilizing the bioactive glass coating of metal. Results of energy dispersive analysis support the mechanism of a gradual degradation of the bioactive glass coating and its integration with bone, since the presence of silicon can be documented within the newly formed bone after the coating has disappeared. Copyright 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers