Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

Microscopy

  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  • Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM).
  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
  • Focus Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM).
  • Optical Microscopy and Image Analysis (MO-IA).
  • Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CSLM).
  • Interferometric microscopy.
  • Fluorescence Microscopy.
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Mechanical characterization

  • Static and dynamic, uniaxial and biaxial Mechanical tests (compression, tensile, bending, and torsion) both in dry and liquid environments.
  • Creep testing.
  • Pull-out tests and torque tests on screws, implants and implanted samples.
  • Injectability testing.
  • Fatigue dynamic tests in both liquid and dry media.
  • Hardness testing.
  • Adhesion evaluation of coatings by Scratch-Test.
  • Wear resistance testing by pin-on-disk and Ball-on-disk.
  • Extensiometric and video-extensiometric strain measurements.
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Chemical and structural characterization of materials

  • X-ray Diffraction (XRD).
  • Mass spectrometry.
  • High performance liquid chromatography –mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS).
  • Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
  • X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
  • Raman spectroscopy.
  • Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES).
  • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry FTIR.
  • Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV).
  • Chemical degradation studies.
  • Kinetic determinations for drug delivery.
  • Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
  • pH determination in chemical solutions.
  • Metallographic analysis.
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Physical characterization

  • Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP).
  • X -ray micro Computed Tomography (micro-CT).
  • Density determination by Helium pycnometry.
  • Gas adsorption measurements (specific surface area and porosity).
  • Roughness evaluation by Surface profilometry and optical interferometry.
  • Wettability studies by Contact angle method.
  • Particle size analysis and distribution by laser diffraction.
  • Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
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Heat and Surface treatments

  • Heat and surface treatments until 1550ºC in both atmospheric and controlled atmosphere.
  • Autoclave sterilization treatments.
  • Accelerated corrosion treatments.
  • Accelerated aging treatments.
  • Low temperature plasma surface treatments and coatings.
  • Activation and functionalization surface treatments.
  • Freeze drying of samples by lyophilization.
  • Dip-coating and electrochemical coatings.
  • Physical, mechanical, Chemical and thermo-chemical surface texturization treatments.
  • Metal anodizing surface treatments.
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Electrochemical characterization

  • Ion release tests.
  • Corrosion tests.
  • Measurement of electric conductivity in liquid solutions.
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Biological characterization

  • Direct and indirect cytotoxicity tests on different cell lines according to UNE-EN ISO 10993 Standard.
  • Cell adhesion, proliferation & differentiation tests.
  • Bacterial (mono-strain and multi-strain) adhesion and biofilm formation tests.
  • Live & Dead bacterial test.
  • Protein surface adsorption and immobilization testing.
  • Quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR).
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Animal studies and Histological characterization

  • Experimental design, management and execution of in vivo studies in different animal models in order to evaluate tissue response to biomaterials.
  • Histological processing by histological refrigerated Cutting System.
  • Fixation, dehydration, polymerisation, grinding and polishing of histological samples.
  • Colorimetric staining and immunohistochemical tissue preparation for histological evaluation.
  • Graphite coatings on histological samples for SEM evaluation.
  • Histomorphometric analysis by SEM, optical and fluorescence microscopy.
  • Histological and histopathological analysis of tissue explanted samples.
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Forensic engineering

  • Engineering applied to forensic studies of defective components, machines and implants.
  • Fractographic studies of industrial components, medical implants and prosthesis.
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Data processing and analysis & Technical consultancy

  • Statistical Analysis of Data and experimental results.
  • Image processing, treatment and analysis for data acquisition.
  • Design, development and optimization of processes, products and components for the biomedical sector and preclinical testing, both in vitro and in vivo.
  • Technological support to bring new medical devices into the market: from the initial idea to the launch of a new product.
  • Patent analysis and tracking.
  • Analysis of the state of the art in technology and in the bio/health sector.
  • Detection of public calls for tenders.
  • Design, drafting, management and implementation of research projects.
  • Technical experts for legal causes and accidents.
  • Design and implementation of training courses and sessions for companies.
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