Niobium and Orthopedic implants
Titanium niobium nitride (Ti-Nb-N) is a hard surface modification which has been in use in Europe for over ten years to offer protection against wear and allergies in orthopedic applications such as artificial knees.
TiNbN acts like a physical barrier against the corrosion process and the metallic ions release towards the surrounding biologic environment, thus, making TiNbN-coated prostheses possible to be safely implanted in a metal sensitized patient.
Titanium-zirconium-niobium alloys (Ti-Zr-Nb) have the potential to be used for solid and durable implants that are fully compatible with the human body. Ti-Zr-Nb alloys possess a high functional complex and so-called «superelasticity» (able to restore the original shape against large and repeated deformation).
According to scientists, these alloys are the most promising class of metallic biomaterials. This is due to the unique combination of their biochemical and biomechanical properties: Ti-Zr-Nb differs from the complete biocompatibility of composition and high corrosion resistance, while at the same time exhibiting hyperelastic behaviour – very similar to «normal» bone behaviour.
NUST MISIS scientists jointly with their colleagues from the Ecole de Technologie Superiore (Montreal, Canada) are using this material to develop an industrial technology for the production of metal rod stocks which are used in the production of modern bone implants, and in particular, for treatment of spinal problems.