1. Characterization of micro-threaded stem taper surface of cementless hip endoprosthesesDrago Dolinar, Boštjan Kocjančič, Klemen Avsec, Barbara Šetina, Aleksandra Kocijan, Matjaž Godec, Marko Sedlaček, Mojca Debeljak, John T. Grant, Timon Zupanc, Monika Jenko, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: We investigated micro-threaded stem taper surface and its impact on premature failures, aseptic loosening, and infection in cementless hip endoprostheses. Our study focused on the fretting, and crevice corrosion of micro-threaded tapers, as well as the characterization of the microstructure and surface properties of two new and three retrieved Zweymüller stem tapers. The retrieved samples were selected and examined based on the head–stem taper interface being the sole source of modularity with a metallic component, specifically between the Ti alloy taper stem and the ceramic head. To determine the surface chemistry and microstructures of both new and retrieved hip endoprostheses stem taper titanium alloy, scanning -electron microscopy (SEM) was employed for morphological and microstructural analyses. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was utilized for characterizing chemical element distribution, and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) was used for phase analysis. The roughness of the micro-threated stem tapers from different manufacturers was investigated using an optical profilometer, with standard roughness parameters Ra (average surface roughness) and Rz (mean peak to valley height of the roughness profile) being measured. Electrochemical studies revealed no fretting corrosion in retrieved stem tapers with ceramic heads. Consequently, three retrieved tapers and two new ones for comparison underwent potentiodynamic measurements in Hank’s solution to determine the corrosion rate of new and retrieved stem taper surfaces. The results showed a low corrosion rate for both new and prematurely failed retrieved samples due to aseptic loosening. However, the corrosion rate was higher in infected and low-grade infected tapers. In conclusion, our study suggests that using ceramic heads reduces taper corrosion and subsequently decreases the incidence of premature failures in total hip arthroplasty. Keywords: total hip arthroplasty, stem micro-threaded taper, taper surface morphology, microstructure, corrosion, Ti implant alloy Published in DiRROS: 06.06.2024; Views: 211; Downloads: 209
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2. Mechanisms of premature fracture in modular neck stems made of CoCrMo/Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al4V/Ti6Al4V alloyDrago Dolinar, Miro Gorenšek, Klemen Avsec, Barbara Šetina, Matej Hočevar, Matjaž Godec, Borut Žužek, Mojca Debeljak, Monika Jenko, John T. Grant, Boštjan Kocjančič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: In this paper, we present the mechanisms of premature fracture of modular neck stems in two case studies: (I) when the neck and stem are both made of the same Ti6Al4V alloy, and (II) when the neck and stem are made from two different alloys, CoCrMo and Ti6Al4V alloy. Our study integrates two orthopedic patients who have undergone primary uncemented THA for usual indications in two orthopedic centers (Community Health Centre and University Medical Centre). Both centers are part of the national public health care system. Both surgeries were performed by two skilled orthopedic surgeons with more than 10 years of experience in THA. The survivorship of the modular neck of cast CoCrMo alloy was 24 months. The survivorship of the modular neck from Ti6Al4V alloy was 84 months. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess the differences in the fretting, corrosion, and fatigue of the two prematurely failed modular neck stems: stereo light microscopy (SLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Patient demographic information, including sex, age, body mass index, survivorship of implants, and reason for the revision, was collected from medical records. We found that fretting and fatigue occurred on both neck-stem retrievals due to additional galvanic corrosion, but the CoCrMo/Ti6Al4V alloy system suffered more corrosion due to additional galvanic corrosion and fractured earlier than the Ti6Al4V/Ti6Al4V metal alloy system. Both metallic alloy systems used in this application are known to be highly corrosion-resistant, but the bio-tribo-corrosion processes need to be understood in detail and characterized so that appropriate improvements in design and materials can be made. Keywords: total hip arthroplasty, modular neck, Ti6Al4V alloy, CoCrMo alloy, corrosion Published in DiRROS: 07.02.2024; Views: 433; Downloads: 238
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3. The impact of Al2O3 particles from grit-blasted Ti6Al7Nb (alloy) implant surfaces on biocompatibility, aseptic loosening, and infectionBoštjan Kocjančič, Klemen Avsec, Barbara Šetina, Darja Feizpour, Matjaž Godec, Veronika Kralj-Iglič, Rok Podlipec, Andrej Cör, Mojca Debeljak, John T. Grant, Monika Jenko, Drago Dolinar, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: Ti6Al7Nb implant alloy cementless hip endoprostheses, roughness, Al2O3 grit blasting, surface and subsurface implant contamination, cytotoxicity, aseptic loosening, infection, osseointegration Published in DiRROS: 01.02.2024; Views: 428; Downloads: 185
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4. Tribocorrosive study of new and in vivo exposed nickel titanium and stainless steel orthodontic archwiresTadeja Kosec, Petra Močnik, Uroš Mezeg, Andraž Legat, Maja Ovsenik, Monika Jenko, John T. Grant, Jasmina Primožič, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The surface, corrosion and wear properties of new and in vivo exposed nickel titanium (NiTi) and stainless steel (SS) archwires used in orthodontic treatment were investigated. Electrochemical and tribo-electrochemical tests in artificial saliva were performed in order to define corrosion properties and to estimate wear rate of new and in vivo exposed NiTi and SS archwires. The surface chemical analysis of the passive film on the NiTi and SS archwires before and after tribocorrosion tests was performed by Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). In vivo exposed NiTi and SS archwires had better electrochemical properties than new archwires due to the protective nature of oral deposits. Total wear and coefficients of friction were higher among in vivo exposed archwires and higher in NiTi archwires in comparison to SS archwires. The estimated thickness of the TiO2 passive film on as-received NiTi is 8 nm, while the passive Cr2O3 film on as-received SS is just 1–2 nm. On in vivo exposed NiTi archwire, a 60–80 nm thick organic film/dental plaque was observed, and on SS, it was thinner, at about 60 nm. This research shows the importance of combining AES with electrochemical testing, to characterize tribocorrosive properties of NiTi and SS orthodontic archwires. Keywords: archwires, NiTi, stainless steel, wear Published in DiRROS: 24.08.2023; Views: 482; Downloads: 191
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