Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai have achieved a significant milestone in medical technology by developing an indigenous method for creating biodegradable implants. The Advanced Materials Development and Characterization Group (AMDCG) has successfully engineered a medical-grade Magnesium (Mg) alloy-based implant with a specialized Titanium (Ti) coating, designed to dissolve safely inside the human body after the healing process is complete.

The research team, led by PhD scholar Mr. Vignesh R. under the supervision of Dr. Jose Immanuel, addressed the long-standing challenge of rapid corrosion in Magnesium alloys when exposed to physiological conditions. While Magnesium is highly biocompatible and ideal for orthopedic use, it typically dissolves too quickly for the bone to fully heal. The team established a technology that enables a dense and thin coating of Titanium on the alloy, providing a precise mechanism to control the rate of bio-degradation and enhance the longevity of the implant during the recovery phase.

Talking about the discovery, Mr. Vignesh stated that the research demonstrated a magnetron sputtered Titanium (Ti) coating can potentially control the rate of bio-degradation from 7.66 mm/year to 2.93 mm/year. This breakthrough means that future patients could avoid the pain and expense of a second surgery, as bone screws or stents will remain structurally strong during the healing process and then safely disappear on their own once their purpose is served.

Dr. Jose Immanuel described this as the first and most significant step by the group in establishing indigenous technology for biodegradable implant development in India. The results of this pioneering study were recently published in ‘Discover Materials’, one of the leading scientific journals in the field. The team’s next phase will involve in-vitro studies on cell growth during the bio-degradation process before proceeding to animal trials. Notably, Mr. Vignesh also serves as a Senior Technical Superintendent at IIT Bhilai, overseeing the institute's Central Instrumentation Facility.

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RDJ/PJ

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