Low Crystalline Hydroxyapatite Coating on Titanium Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for coating titanium implants with hydroxyapatite face issues such as high crystallinity leading to poor biocompatibility, non-uniformity, and peeling of the coating layer due to high temperature processes and complex procedures, which hinder integration with bone remodeling processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a low-concentration calcium phosphate solution at room temperature (15°C to 30°C) for 1 to 3 hours to form a low crystalline hydroxyapatite coating with network- or island-like morphology, eliminating the need for strict temperature and pH control, enhancing bioabsorbability and bioactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plasma spraying is used to coat titanium with hydroxyapatite, then the coating layer forms rapidly, but the high temperature causes non-uniform coating and high crystallinity leading to poor biocompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature (plasma spraying) to room temperature (15-30°C), which fundamentally alters the coating formation mechanism. This temperature change enables uniform coating formation without the thermal damage and non-uniformity associated with high-temperature plasma spraying, while still achieving rapid coating formation through chemical precipitation.
2Productivity
If plasma spraying is used to coat titanium with hydroxyapatite, then the coating layer forms rapidly, but the high crystallinity causes the coating to be refractory to removal by osteoclasts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystallinity parameter by conducting the coating process at room temperature instead of high temperature. This results in low-crystalline hydroxyapatite formation, which maintains biocompatibility and allows the coating to be removed by osteoclasts, enabling participation in bone remodeling processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional wet coating methods are used, then the coating process is simple, but the procedure requires long coating time and strict temperature and pH control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of calcium phosphate solution (1.0-10.0 mM) and temperature parameter (15-30°C) to achieve rapid coating formation. This allows the coating process to complete within 1-3 hours without requiring strict pH control or extended treatment times, significantly improving efficiency while maintaining simplicity.
4Strength
If high crystallinity hydroxyapatite is used for coating, then the coating provides mechanical strength, but it does not take part in the remodeling process of bones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystallinity parameter by using room temperature coating processes, resulting in low-crystalline hydroxyapatite that maintains mechanical strength while enabling integration with bone remodeling processes. The low crystallinity structure allows the coating to be degraded and absorbed by osteoclasts, facilitating active participation in bone remodeling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method results in a bioabsorptive coating that integrates with bone remodeling, prevents peeling, and enhances interfacial bonding, promoting osteoconductivity and osteogenesis, while simplifying the process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a phosphate ion solution with a calcium ion solution to prepare a calcium phosphate solution, wherein the calcium phosphate solution has a concentration of 1.0 mM to 10 mM, dipping and storing the titanium or titanium alloy implant in the calcium phosphate solution for 1 hour to 3 hours at the temperature of 15°C to 30°C, wherein the resulting thin film of low crystalline hydroxyapatite
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for coating a surface of a titanium implant, which is widely used as a grafting material, with low crystalline hydroxyapatite, and an implant coated with low crystalline hydroxyapatite having network- or island-like morphology, by the same method. The method includes 1) pretreating a surface of a titanium or titanium alloy implant, 2) adding each of a phosphate ion solution and a calcium ion solution to the pretreated titanium or titanium alloy implant, and 3) dipping and storing the titanium or titanium alloy implant in the calcium phosphate solution for 1 hour or more.