A team of researchers developed a coating for titanium implants that accelerated implantation into the bone tissue after osseointegration surgery. Scientists from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and St. Petersburg State University in Russia tested the properties of a range of titanium implant coatings that differed in composition, thickness, and structure.
The coatings were applied by atomic layer deposition in special vacuum equipment. Studies were carried out on cells in vitro, and then in vivo on animals. An important part of the study was to select the size and morphology of nanoparticles so they don’t cause toxic effects of silver on living cells, while preserving the beneficial properties of the coating.
“Currently we started applying silver nanoparticles on the surface of titanium since this chemical element obtains useful antibacterial properties and should reduce the risk of implant rejection. However, to use the silver coatings freely, it is necessary to adjust the conditions and the general method of obtaining the material,” said Dr. Nazarov, St. Petersburg State University.
Photograph caption: Researchers developed the coatings for titanium implants, which accelerate the implantation of the implant material into the bone tissue.
Photograph courtesy of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.