Study Suggests that Nanodiamond Coatings are Safe for Implants

Researchers are investigating the ability of nanodiamond coatings to reduce wear in joints made of metal alloys.

Debris from metal surfaces is absorbed by macrophages, which secrete chemicals that cause swelling and pain. Studies have suggested that diamond coating may shed less debris and in smaller particles than metal and polymer surfaces, and current research indicates that macrophages that surround smaller nanodiamond particles release fewer inflammatory chemicals than those encountering larger particles shed by metal and polymer.

Next steps will include experiments to confirm where nanodiamond particles build up within a body.

Also of interest, Vista Engineering in collaboration University of Alabama at Birmingham has been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the application of diamond coatings to temporomandibular implants.

REFERENCES

Early study suggests nanodiamonds safe for implants, University of Alabama at Birmingham, February 3, 2012.

In vitro studies on the effect of particle size on macrophage responses to nanodiamond wear debris, Acta Biomaterialia, February 2, 2012.

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