**6.3 Production of standard value-added biomedical products**

EBM technology is being used by biomedical industry for production of large series of standard implants (different sizes) but with the added value of a 3D scaffold designed by computer. These are successful cases of Italian manufacturers Ala Ortho and Lima, with

technology, these coatings are not able to produce regular or controlled scaffolds and

In bimetallic implants, there is a substantial risk of galvanic corrosion generated when materials with different electronegativity are placed in the same solution (Ratner, 2004), (Pedeferri, 2007). Conventionally made implants are usually coated with different methods and materials (plasma-sprayed titanium, Ti wire mesh, porous coatings made of CoCr or Ti, etc) for creating rough surfaces for encouraging bone ingrowth and proper fixation. With these conventional methods different metals might be combined and risk of galvanic corrosion may appear. In EBM, there isn't such a risk, due to the fact that part and scaffold

Porous regions in contact with the bone tissue promote osseointegration (direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant), creating better fixation between the prosthesis and the bone. Due to the fact that scaffolds provide void space for bone ingrowth (Figure 14), this bone ingrowth will enhance the fixation of the implant. Scaffolds also contribute to transferring loads between the

are manufactured in the same material in one-step process (Figures 1 and 24).

implant and the bone, avoiding the previously mentioned effect of stress shielding.

Fig. 24. Porous cranial implant (Courtesy of Arcam), customized acetabular cup

EBM technology enables manufacturing of implants with different kind of scaffolds. These scaffolds can be placed in different regions of the same implant and each scaffold could have different features (pore size, morphology, etc) if the application requires. In addition, it is

Summarizing, EBM enables the manufacturing of implants with scaffolds, designed by means of CAD 3D tools (controlled porosity), which enhances the development of a new typology of high added value implants that are designed and manufactured according to the needs of the patient and not the other way around. This is possible because the EBM process doesn't have constraints imposed by traditional manufacturing processes. So as to illustrate above mentioned discussion, in the next paragraphs several kind of applications

EBM technology is being used by biomedical industry for production of large series of standard implants (different sizes) but with the added value of a 3D scaffold designed by computer. These are successful cases of Italian manufacturers Ala Ortho and Lima, with

(Courtesy of Arcam) and hip stem (FABIO Project) (Delgado, 2010).

possible to manufacture totally porous implant (Figure 24).

and high added value implants are going to be presented.

**6.3 Production of standard value-added biomedical products** 

provide less freedom in design (Ratner, 2004).

different products in the market. They manufacture acetabular cups with different 3D scaffolds which offer better response in the human body. These products have obtained the CE Mark and are being implanted in humans (Figure 25).

Fig. 25. Acetabular cup implants made on EBM by Italian companies: Cotile Fixa Ti-Por® by Adler Ortho® (left & middle) and DELTA-TT® Cup by Limacorporate (right) are already available on the market.
