A joint prosthesis modified with graphene using a new production process

Biocompatible polymers, like high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), can be used in joint prostheses. However, even with good quality of the material, problems such as wear due to abrasion form polymer fragments, causing cell apoptosis and loss of the prosthesis. Modifying materials like UHMWPE with nanocomposites is possible to give new properties to the prosthesis, like better mechanical and antimicrobial effects, increasing the useful life of the device and avoiding stress for the patient in them having to have their prosthesis changed sometime after having it placed. Graphene is a nanomaterial that can be incorporated into prostheses to give them greater resistance and antimicrobial activity upon contact, preventing loss of the prosthesis. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of graphene when incorporated into a jaw joint prosthesis, evaluating the biocompatibility, antimicrobial and mechanical resistance effects. Graphene was incorporated into the prosthesis by thermopressing, obtaining two prostheses: one with UHWMPE and the other with UHWMPE + graphene. The production process is new, so a patent has been filed for this new process (BR10202400456). The results from the TGA show a lower onset temperature of the prosthesis without graphene, in addition to it showing antimicrobial properties in microbiology tests. Characterization tests such as Raman spectroscopy, XPS and SEM were also carried out, and mechanical tests showed that the new prosthesis with graphene incorporated endured a force higher than usual before breaking. Therefore, a new prosthesis with graphene was successfully obtained through a new process, and further tests will be used to check the regulatory aspects for its application in the industry.