Production of orbital (eye) implant from hydroxyapatite

Abstract

When an eye was lost due to trauma or in the events that require to remove eyeglobe from the orbit, spherically shaped orbital implants were used in order to fill thecavity, to protect the area from infection and to preserve the structure of orbit. In recent years, hydroxyapatite has gained wide acceptance as an orbital implant material due to itsbiocompatibility and its porous structure allowing tissue ingrowth.In this study, it is intended to manufacture porous orbital implant by a novel andsimple process. The amount of porosity and pore size of implant is tried to be controlled through varying amount of naphthalene addition. Here, it is proposed to make the implantslight in weight as well as suitable for rapid vascularization after implantation.Characterization of the implants with respect to phase purity was performed by X-raydiffraction (XRD) and Infra-red spectrometer (IR) so as to compare this characteristic ofthe final product to that of starting material. Based on these investigations, no sign ofdecomposition phases, impurities and the trace of naphthalene were detected in the sinteredsamples. The pore morphology and pore size distribution of the samples were investigatedby scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the results were compared with respect to variables. Besides, weight, bulk density, rate of contraction and porosity of implants weremeasured. As a mechanical test, compressive strength of the specimens prepared for thispurpose was investigated. All results were evaluated and compared to each other.As far as the mechanical strength, weight, pore size distribution in terms of micro macropores and interconnectivity concerned, the best results were achievedfrom %45 naphthalene added implant specimen.|Keywords: Hydroxyapatite, porous implant, orbital implant, eye implant.