Ion-Enriched Titanium Oxide Coating for Antibacterial Osteointegration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopaedic and dental prosthetic implants made of titanium or titanium alloys face challenges with slow osteointegration and bacterial infections, leading to implant failure and increased health and social costs, as current surface treatments either lack osteointegrative activity or are toxic to eukaryotic cells.
Innovation Solution
A metal substrate, preferably titanium or titanium alloy, is modified with an anodic spark deposition (ASD) technique to create a surface enriched with Ca, P, Ga, and Sr ions, optionally with Ag, forming a microporous titanium oxide layer that enhances osteointegration and antibacterial properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If titanium or titanium alloy substrates are used for orthopaedic and dental prosthetic implants, then excellent biocompatibility, elastic modulus, mechanical strength and corrosion resistance are achieved, but slow osteointegration and bacterial infections occur leading to implant failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anodic spark deposition (ASD) to create a microporous oxide layer on the titanium substrate surface. This porous structure increases the surface area and provides a scaffold for bone cell attachment and proliferation, thereby accelerating osteointegration while maintaining the mechanical properties of the underlying titanium material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surface structure consisting of the titanium substrate combined with an oxide layer enriched with multiple ions (Ca2+, Sr2+, Ga3+, Ag+). This composite structure combines the biocompatibility and strength of titanium with the osteoconductive properties of calcium phosphate, the osteoinductive effects of strontium, and the antibacterial properties of gallium and silver, thereby simultaneously improving osteointegration speed and preventing bacterial infections.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If antibiotic and pharmacological treatment is applied to bacterial infections in implanted devices, then treatment is attempted, but the treatment proves ineffective in many cases leading to device removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates antibacterial ions (Ga3+ and Ag+) into the oxide layer during the ASD process, creating a pre-active antibacterial surface before implantation. This preliminary anti-action provides immediate protection against bacterial colonization and infection, preventing the need for subsequent antibiotic treatment and avoiding the associated risks of treatment failure and device removal.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If surface treatments are applied to improve antibacterial properties, then bacterial resistance is enhanced, but osteointegrative activity is reduced or the treatment becomes toxic to eukaryotic cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the concentration ranges of different ions in the electrolyte solution during ASD treatment. By optimizing parameters such as Ca2+ (0.01-0.1 M), Sr2+ (0.001-0.01 M), Ga3+ (0.0001-0.001 M), and Ag+ (0.0001-0.001 M) concentrations, along with treatment voltage (100-300 V) and time (1-10 minutes), the patent achieves effective antibacterial properties while maintaining osteointegrative capability and avoiding cytotoxicity to eukaryotic cells.
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 modified substrate achieves optimal interaction with biological tissues, promoting stable implant integration while preventing bacterial colonization, reducing biofilm adhesion, and ensuring effective osteointegration and antibacterial properties.
Implementation Method 1
said surface being modified and enriched with Ca, P, Ga, Sr and, optionally, Ag by anodic spark deposition (ASD)
Implementation Method 2
enriched with Ca, P, Ga, Sr and, optionally, Ag by anodic spark deposition (ASD)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a substrate of a metal, preferably titanium or a titanium alloy, having at least one surface coated with an oxide layer of the metal itself, said surface being modified and enriched with Ca, P, Ga, Sr, and, optionally, Ag by anodic spark deposition (ASD). The present invention also relates to a process for producing said substrate by applying the anodic spark deposition (ASD) technique to a substrate, optionally pre-treated, immersed in an electrolytic solution comprising Ca, P, Ga, Sr and, optionally, Ag. Finally, the present invention also relates to a prosthesis and a surgical implant comprising or preferably produced with said substrate, as well as the use thereof for the prevention of bacterial colonisation and promotion of osteointegration in implantology operations, preferably orthopaedic prosthetic implantology.