Quantifying the Surface Geometry of Titanium Implant Material by Different Methods of Analysis

Authors

Clara Pimienta, University of Montreal
Rashad Tawashi, University of Montreal

Abstract

Biomaterial implant manufacturers have used rough surfaces to ensure better biocompatibility, less rejection and better adaptation of implants in the body. Proper characterization of biological interactions and biocompatibility of biomaterials requires a thorough understanding of surface complexity. Surface roughness has often been shown to be important in influencing biological reactions with the surface. Previous communications from our laboratory have described a dynamic active vision system (MVS camera) capable of measuring three-dimensional coordinates of titanium implant material surfaces. Fractal analysis, due to its straightforward relationship to texture, is used to characterize the degree of irregularity of a surface and is expressed over a range of scales with the variation method. This paper compares the fractal approach with the results of image analysis, tactile profilometry, and confocal microscopy. The data obtained in these studies show that surface fractal dimension, in particular, can be a valuable parameter to describe the complexity of surface of titanium implant materials.

Recommended Citation

Pimienta, Clara and Tawashi, Rashad (1999) "Quantifying the Surface Geometry of Titanium Implant Material by Different Methods of Analysis," Cells and Materials: Vol. 9: No. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cellsandmaterials/vol9/iss2/4