PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS ON MAPPING OF THE ELEMENTAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE ORGANIC-TISSUES SURROUNDING TITANIUM-ALLOY IMPLANTS

Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is one of the most common materials which a re used as orthopaedic and dental implants. In this paper, preliminary experimental results are presented on the measurement of distribution (mapping of X-ray intensities) of the constituent elements of the tis sues as well as the released impurity elements in the organic tissues around a Ti-alloy implant. Micro-beam PIXE was carried out for the cas e of a Ti-6Al-4V implant which was inserted in tibial metaphysis of a rabbit for 12 weeks, using a Nissin high voltage accelerator. Maps of Ca and P clearly show the situation of bone formation and Ca concentra tion with respect to implant surface. The maps of K alpha intensities of Ti and Al are also obtained to investigate the possible release of these elements. In conclusion, application of micro-beam PIXE to mappi ng of the constituent and impurity elements around implants can be use d as a powerful tool in clarifying the mechanism of osseo-integration, and release of impurity ions from the implants.