R&D Projects

"New Improved Orthopedical Implants With Laser Processed Bioactive Coatings"

PROPOSAL TITLE:

"New improved orthopaedical implants with laser
processed bioactive coatings" (Ortholaser)

A longer lasting, cost reduced and better osteointegrable orthopaedic knee implant will be developed.
The application of high power laser surface processing methods will enable to produce calcium phosphate
coatings with better adhesion and higher bioactivity performance in-vitro and in-vivo. The rapid thermal
treatment inherent to these processing routes would remove surface defects and micro-cracks typical of
machined titanium surfaces. To assure the supply of the CaP precursors appropriate for laser processing,
new powder and non-powdery methods will be investigated, using less expensive reactants and eventually
eliminating the environmental impact of the standard plasma spray processing. In order to cut down pro-
duction costs of knee prosthesis a new joint design will be developed, and 3-dimensional CAD/CAM and
Real-Virtual-Real Technologies will be applied to fully analytically model, simulate and automate the design
and manufacturing of the prosthesis and its coating. Quality control and environmental impact assessment
of all partner's activities will be implented.

BRITE EURAM WORK PROGRAMME: RESEARCH AREA 2.1 - 2.2