Environmentally conscious biomedical implant manufacturing method

Abstract

The significant advantage of using magnesium as a surgical implant is its ability to biodegrade in situ, eliminating the requirement for implant removal surgery. However, investigating biomedical implant fabrication processes required the study analyses from the perspective of the process plan and environmental impact for better sustainable solutions. In the present study, magnesium and hydroxyapatite-based composite material have been selected for fabricating the bio-medical implant. The real-time data has been observed in the production processes. The environmental impacts of the produced bio-implant material are compared with those of the bio-implant produced using friction-stir processing and laser-based powder metallurgy. It is observed from the analysis that conventional methods can be utilized for making bio-medical implants cost-effectively after careful modifications in the process sequence and parameters. The environmental impact analysis provided a detailed visualization of major hotspots and supported effective decision-making toward improving the production process. At the same time, the comparative analysis provides a clear picture of the hotspots in the bio-implant production processes. The study compared the environmental impact of two bio-implant production processes and provided valuable insights to reduce overall cost and improve environmental impact across the supply chain. A bio-implant prototype has been made with a cheaper alternative to additive manufacturing.