Surface Patterning Of Cochlear Implant Electrode Arrays

Abstract

Individual optimisation of patient implants with the ability to model surfaces in μm-range is of considerable interest. Selective Laser Melting (SLM) allows the construction of nearly any desired structure enabeling a custom adaptation according to the patients` requirements. We evaluated a titanium construct made by Selective Laser Melting for optimised osseointegration in vitro. Using fluorescent osteoblasts adherence was shown on the titanium superficial scaffold structure. Furthermore, we analysed the proliferative behaviour of primary osteoblasts and an endothelial cell line by stimulation with angiogenic factors VEGF and HMGB1.