Nickel-titanium shape memory metal alloy (NiTi) has unique thermal shape memory, superelasticity and damping properties of a kind not seen in other implant alloys. These properties make it potentially useful for surgical applications. The performance and biocompatibility of every new material must be very well confirmed before it can accepted into use as an implant material.
The main purpose of the present studies was to evaluate the biocompatibility and corrosion of NiTi for further safe use as a surgical implant material and to compare it to the ordinarily used implant metals.
The specific aims of this experimental work were:
To evaluate the acute cytotoxicity of NiTi to human fibroblasts and osteoblasts in vitro.
To clarify the general soft tissue response to NiTi.
To evaluate the effects of NiTi to neural tissue after perineural implantation.
To evaluate the ultrastructural characteristic the cell-NiTi interface.
To evaluate the bone response of NiTi after periosteal implantation.
To evaluate if NiTi has deleterious effects on osteotomy healing, bone mineralization or the normal remodeling response.
To determine the rate of metal dissolution from NiTi in a simulated physiological environment in vitro.
To evaluate if there is systemic release of trace elements from NiTi to distant organs.
To determine the effect of long-term implantation on NiTi implants.