Interfacial effects and ingrowing behaviour of magnesium-based foams as bioresorbable bone substitute material

Within this project sponge-like structures made of magnesium alloys are being developed and investigated as bone-replacement material. The advantage of magnesium is that it naturally occurs in the body and that it degrades gradually. The developed implants will be investigated regarding to the occurring interface effects in cooperation with the Institute of Material Science of the Leibniz University Hanover and the Surgical and Gynaecological Small Animal Clinic of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. Finite element methods are extensively used for the development and investigation of the sponges. Based on in vitro and in vivo results the simulation model will be build up and validated. The simulation model includes the interface effects, like degradation of the implant and ingrowth behaviour of the bone into the sponge structure. The change of the mechanical properties during the degradation has to be considered in the simulations.