We have developed lameller etched titanium (L.E.T.) structure, as a new bone-prosthesis interface. L.E.T. has a laminating structure consisting of a thin board made of porous etched titanium layer. We call this structure, a space controlled interface, because its pore shape, pore size and porosity within the interface can be controlled easily.

Purpose: We compared the binding capacity of L.E.T. system with the conventional beads surface, by experimental study.

Materials and Methods: We implanted two types of interface in 30 canine femora, one with LET and, the other with a conventional beads surface structure as a control. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is coated on L.E.T. stem. The dogs were killed three, six, ten weeks later. The harvested femora were cut off seven sections follow by a push out strength test and calculate the rate of bone ingrowth by measuring images of backscattered electron imaging-scanning electron microscopy (BEI-SEM) of each cross section using the NIH Image. Thin-sectioned tissues were then stained with toluidine blue.

Results: The push-out strength of the L.E.T. stems were 146 to 384% greater and its rate of bone ingrowth were 193 to 226% greater than that of the conventional beads stems. HA coated L.E.T. implants had the new bone formation down to the bottom of the porous portion even after three weeks, the findings which was not seen in the conventional beads stems in microscopic and BEI-SEM finding.

Discussion and Conclusion: Space controlled interface (L.E.T.) was proven to keep an adequate pore within the interface and induce true bone ingrowth in the space. Using L.E.T. structure, faster bone ingrowth and stronger fixation of the stem to the bone can be obtained.