Bioactive glass surface for fiber reinforced composite implants via surface etching by Excimer laser

• A new method to create osteoconductive surfaces for composite implants is proposed.
• The surface consists of bioactive glass granules exposed by Excimer laser ablation.
• The study includes spectroscopy, optimization, SBF and cell culture experiments.
• Excimer laser ablation has potential for the creation of osteoconductive surfaces.

Biostable fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) prepared from bisphenol-A-glycidyldimethacrylate (BisGMA)-based thermosets reinforced with E-glass fibers are promising alternatives to metallic implants due to the excellent fatigue resistance and the mechanical properties matching those of bone. Bioactive glass (BG) granules can be incorporated within the polymer matrix to improve the osteointegration of the FRC implants. However, the creation of a viable surface layer using BG granules is technically challenging. In this study, we investigated the potential of Excimer laser ablation to achieve the selective removal of the matrix to expose the surface of BG granules. A UV–vis spectroscopic study was carried out to investigate the differences in the penetration of light in the thermoset matrix and BG. Thereafter, optimal Excimer laser ablation parameters were established. The formation of a calcium phosphate (CaP) layer on the surface of the laser-ablated specimens was verified in simulated body fluid (SBF). In addition, the proliferation of MG63 cells on the surfaces of the laser-ablated specimens was investigated. For the laser-ablated specimens, the pattern of proliferation of MG63 cells was comparable to that in the positive control group (Ti6Al4V). We concluded that Excimer laser ablation has potential for the creation of a bioactive surface on FRC-implants.

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