Additive manufacturing technology for porous metal implant applications and triple minimal surface structures: A review

Abstract

Recently, the fabrication methods of orthopedic implants and devices have been greatly developed. Additive manufacturing technology allows the production of complex structures with bio-mimicry features, and has the potential to overcome the limitations of conventional fabrication methods. This review explores open-cellular structural design for porous metal implant applications, in relation to the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Several types of additive manufacturing techniques including selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, and electron beam melting, are discussed for different applications. Additive manufacturing through powder bed fusion shows great potential for the fabrication of high-quality porous metal implants. However, the powder bed fusion technique still faces two major challenges: it is high cost and time-consuming. In addition, triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures are also analyzed in this paper, targeting the design of metal implants with an enhanced biomorphic environment.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

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  Orthopedic implants should exhibit biocompatibility and biomechanical compatibility.

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  The elastic modulus of an implant should closely match that of natural bone.

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  TPMS structures possess excellent biomimicry in supporting cell activities.

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  AM technology allows the production of bone implant with biomimicry features.