Extract
Various porous coatings—most notably, those manufactured by the
sintering of cobalt-chrome or titanium beads and the diffusion bonding of
titanium fiber wires—have been utilized for the biologic attachment of
orthopaedic implants during the past three
decades1. About ten
years ago, a novel porous biomaterial made from commercially pure
tantalum2-5
with a unique set of physical and mechanical properties was developed.
Compared with conventional porous coatings, this material possesses higher
volume porosity, more freely communicating pores, a higher coefficient of
friction against bone, and a lower bulk stiffness
(Fig. 1). In addition, the
material is structural in that it has sufficient strength to enable the
manufacture of implants without the need for a supportive solid metal
substrate.