Titanium-Fluorine Oxide Surface Layer for Antibacterial Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implant treatments face challenges in reducing postoperative infections due to the elution of fluorine ions from titanium surfaces, which affects the durability and antibacterial properties in varying pH environments.

Innovation Solution

A composite material is developed with a surface layer containing compounds of titanium, fluorine, and oxygen, where the amount of titanium and fluorine does not exceed the amount of titanium, fluorine, and oxygen, achieved through controlled fluorine implantation and oxidation, maintaining antibacterial properties while reducing fluorine elution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluorine ions are implanted into titanium surface to provide antibacterial property, then antibacterial property is improved, but fluorine elution occurs in varying pH environments which reduces durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibacterial propertyVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite surface layer containing titanium, fluorine, and oxygen compounds (such as TiO2, TiF2, TiOF) rather than using pure fluorine implantation. This composite structure allows the surface to maintain antibacterial properties through fluorine presence while the oxygen-containing compounds reduce fluorine elution in varying pH environments, thereby improving both reliability and duration of action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the titanium surface by controlling the ratio of fluorine to oxygen compounds during implantation. By adjusting these parameters to ensure oxygen-containing compounds are present in sufficient amounts, the surface maintains antibacterial activity while reducing fluorine elution, thus resolving the contradiction between antibacterial property and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If fluorine is implanted into titanium surface to achieve antibacterial effect, then antibacterial property is improved, but fluorine elution increases in acidic or alkaline environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibacterial propertyVSAvoidfluorine elution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The oxygen-containing compounds (TiO2, TiF2, TiOF) act as intermediary substances that mediate between the implanted fluorine and the external environment. These intermediaries reduce the direct elution of fluorine into the body fluids by forming stable compounds, thereby maintaining antibacterial properties while minimizing fluorine loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By forming a composite surface layer with multiple compounds containing titanium, fluorine, and oxygen, the patent creates a protective matrix that reduces fluorine elution. The composite structure allows fluorine to remain bound in stable compounds while still providing antibacterial activity, thus reducing substance loss while maintaining function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If fluorine ions are implanted into titanium surface, then antibacterial property is improved, but the surface composition becomes unstable in fluctuating pH environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibacterial propertyVSAvoidsurface composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surface composition by introducing oxygen-containing compounds alongside fluorine compounds. This parameter change creates a more stable surface composition that can withstand fluctuating pH environments while maintaining antibacterial properties, as the oxygen-containing compounds provide structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite surface layer containing multiple compounds (TiO2, TiF2, TiOF) provides compositional stability in fluctuating pH environments. The presence of oxygen-containing compounds creates a chemically stable matrix that maintains the antibacterial properties while resisting composition changes due to pH variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 composite material maintains long-term antibacterial properties and mechanical durability by minimizing fluorine elution, suitable for biocompatible implants and applications requiring resistance to bacterial growth in fluctuating environments.

Implementation Method 1

fluorine ions are implanted into the smooth surface of pure titanium by using plasma immersion ion implantation technique

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma immersion ion implantation: Ion Implantation

Implementation Method 2

The surface layer contains a compound of titanium and fluorine and a compound of titanium, fluorine, and oxygen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4265281B1Composite material, method for manufacturing same, and biological implant
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4265281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4265281B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4265281B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a composite material having an excellent antibacterial property and a reduced elution of fluorine. A composite material according to the present disclosure includes a base material and a surface layer located at a surface of the base material. The surface layer contains a compound of titanium and fluorine and a compound of titanium, fluorine, and oxygen. An abundance of the compound of titanium and fluorine in the surface layer does not exceed an abundance of the compound of titanium, fluorine, and oxygen in the surface layer.