FABRICATION OF CERAMIC MICROPATTERNS AND THEIR IMPACT ON BONE CELLS

The main objective of this study is to elucidate possible methods of producing ceramic calcium phosphate micropatterns ranging from 5 to 100 µm. Today, micropatterned ceramic surfaces are of great interest for fundamental materials research as well as for high-end industrial processes, whereas the fabrication of these patterns in the sub-100 µm range is still a challenge. Therefore, six different patterning techniques have been applied in order to generate ceramic patterns: Microtransfer molding (µTM), modified micromolding (m-µM), Aerosol-Jet® printing, CNC-micromachining, laser ablation and direct laser interference patterning (DLIP). The patterning techniques have been evaluated concerning their capability of fabricating ceramic patterns smaller than 100 µm. Another objective of this study has been the investigation of the influence of ceramic patterns on human osteoblasts (HOB). This investigation has revealed that ceramic hydroxyapatite-based patterns ranging from 16 to 77 µm in widths have a strong influence on the contact guidance of the HOB, whereas the cells showed distinct orientations between 0°-15° in reference to the pattern direction.