Microfluidic Chip-Based Analysis on the Biological Characterization of Medical Magnesium Alloy

Magnesium alloy (Mg alloy) has been widely used as medical implant material in recent years. The good biodegradable performance of the Mg alloy results in pH variation after implantation in human body because of high degradation rate and hydrogen evolution, affecting on cell growth, which has been rarely reported. This study fabricated a microfluidic chip and evaluated degradation characteristics of the Mg alloy and effects on vascular the endothelial cell and Schwann cell. Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treated as well as untreated Mg alloy were co-cultured with the cells. Degradation characteristics of the Mg alloy were analyzed and discussed. The MAO-treated magnesium alloy slice was apparently slower than the untreated slice, and the ceramic oxidation film generated via MAO treatment was believed to distinctly increasing the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy material.