Zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) is the gold-standard ceramic in hip arthroplasty, but still lacks direct osseointegration and a metal shell, often coated with a bioactive layer, is currently required. The latter could potentially be replaced by a thinner, architectured ZTA layer, thereby allowing for larger acetabular components, with larger range of motion and lower dislocation risk. Robocasting may be an adequate technique to fabricate the architectured layer. Therefore, as a first step, this study aimed to produce ZTA scaffolds (3D-ZTA) by robocasting and assess their in vitro response. Shape retention was achieved by using a stable, well-dispersed, high solid loading ink injected in acid pH waterbath. 3D-ZTA exhibit regularly spaced microporous, rough struts and fully interconnected macroporosity. Human primary osteoblasts were homogenously distributed inside 3D-ZTA and showed increased osteogenic marker expression compared to 2D-ZTA control. Further work will focus on optimizing scaffold design to improve cell retention and extracellular matrix maturation.

氧化锆增韧氧化铝（ZTA）是髋关节置换术中的金标准陶瓷，但仍缺乏直接的骨整合作用，目前需要金属外壳（通常涂有生物活性层）。后者可能会被更薄的ZTA结构层取代，从而允许使用更大的髋臼组件，具有更大的运动范围和更低的错位风险。机器人广播可能是制造架构层的适当技术。因此，作为第一步，本研究旨在通过机器人广播生产ZTA支架（3D-ZTA）并评估其体外效果。回复。通过使用稳定的，分散良好的高固含量油墨注入酸性pH水浴中，可以保持形状。3D-ZTA具有规则排列的微孔，粗大的支撑杆和完全互连的大孔。与2D-ZTA对照相比，人类原代成骨细胞在3D-ZTA内部均匀分布，并显示成骨标记物表达增加。进一步的工作将集中在优化支架设计上，以改善细胞保留能力和细胞外基质成熟度。