Inflammatory response to implantation of transparent nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia using a dorsal window chamber model

We evaluated in vivo biocompatibility of nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized-zirconia (nc-YSZ) cranial implant using dorsal window chamber model (DWCM) in comparison with control (no implant) and commercially available cranial implant materials (PEEK and PEKK). DWCM contains striated muscle and skin, allowing for repeated analysis of the microcirculation in the awake hamster. Here a nc-YSZ sample (*) was implanted. (B, C, D) Representative intravital fluorescence microscopy image of the microcirculation under the nc-YSZ implant 15 days after implantation with: (B) white light; (C) green-light epi-illumination upon injection of Rhodamine 6G for labeling leukocytes. (D) Blue-light epi-illumination upon injection of macromolecular fluorescent dye FITC Dextran.87