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Multimodal imaging and the generation of contrast are key research topics when considering the examination of cell and tissue interaction with nanoparticles, biomaterials and implants. Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS) provides imaging contrast using compositional information and combines this with analytical capabilities for measuring the relative quantities of elements within a specimen.
Our EDS systems and analytical software enable rapid and accurate characterisation of samples.
Wear debris can be produced as a result of friction between adjacent materials potentially causing aseptic loosening of the implant and its subsequent failure. This is particularly evident when the two surfaces are composed of different materials. EDS characterisation of wear debris showed that chromium, titanium and cobalt nanoparticles, originating from different areas on the hip implant, ended up inside the same cells.
EDS can be used as an imaging tool for colour electron microscopy. EDS provides elemental contrast that can be mapped across a specimen. EDS maps can be used for the identification of features within the sample that are hard to identify using electron data alone, for example the cells (blue & green) shown within the calcium and phosphorous rich implant material that cannot be distinguished easily using backscattered electron images.
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