Effects of graphene plates' adoption on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and in vivo biocompatibility of calcium silicate coating.

Calcium silicate (CS) ceramic is a good coating candidate for biomedical implants to improve biocompatibility and accelerate early osseointegration. However, the poor fracture toughness and wear resistance of this ceramic material restricts the long-term performance of implants. In this study, graphene plates (GPs) were used as reinforcement to improve the mechanical properties of CS coating.

In vitro degradation behavior and cytocompatibility of biodegradable AZ31 alloy with PEO/HT composite coating.

Biodegradable magnesium-based implants have attracted much attention recently in orthopedic applications because of their good mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, their rapid degradation in vivo will not only reduce their mechanical strength, but also induce some side effects, such as local alkalization and gas cavity, which may lead to a failure of the implant. In this work, a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer was prepared on plasma electrolytic oxidization (PEO) coating by hydrothermal treatment (HT) to fabricate a PEO/HT composite coating on biodegradable AZ31 alloy.

Multilevel surface engineering of nanostructured TiO2 on carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone.

As an implantable material, carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFRPEEK) possesses an adjustable elastic modulus similar to that of cortical bone and is a prime candidate to replace metallic surgical implants. However, the bioinertness and poor osteogenic properties of CFRPEEK limit its clinical application as orthopedic implants. In this work, titanium ions are introduced energetically into CFRPEEK by plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII).

Enhanced cellular responses to titanium coating with hierarchical hybrid structure.

In this work, nano/micro hierarchical hybrid structured surface was prepared by fabricating a titania nanotube layer in plasma sprayed porous titanium coating (TC). In vitro human marrow stem cells (hMSCs) were employed for the evaluation of the biological properties of the anodized titanium coating with a hierarchical structure (HSTC). Significantly higher cell adhesion quantity (about 30% more) was found on the HSTC than that on the as-sprayed TC.

Chemically regulated bioactive ion delivery platform on a titanium surface for sustained controlled release.

The efficacy of biomedical titanium implants mainly depends on their surface characteristics such as surface morphology, microstructure, and components, and the resulting performances. In this work, hierarchical hybrid micro/nanotip films incorporated with bioactive Sr/Mg ions were prepared on a titanium surface by combining acid etching, hydrothermal treatment and a subsequent ion exchange process with Sr and Mg ions respectively. A Sr/Mg delivery platform is thus successfully obtained on a titanium surface and can allow for sustained release of Sr/Mg ions at a slow rate for a period of time.

Antimicrobial activity and cytocompatibility of Ag plasma-modified hierarchical TiO2 film on titanium surface.

To improve the antimicrobial ability and cytocompatibility of biomedical titanium implants, many efforts have been made to modify their surface topography and chemical composition. In this work, Ag plasma-modified hierarchical TiO2 film was fabricated on titanium surface via acid etching to produce micropit, hydrothermal treatment to generate TiO2 nanorod and subsequent plasma immersion ion implantation process to impregnate Ag into TiO2 surface. In view of the potential clinical applications, their antimicrobial activity, bioactivity and cytocompatibility were systematically evaluated.

Enhanced apatite-forming ability and cytocompatibility of porous and nanostructured TiO2/CaSiO3 coating on titanium.

To improve the bioactivity and cytocompatibility of biomedical titanium dioxide coating, many efforts have been made to modify its surface composition and topography. Meanwhile, CaSiO(3) was commonly investigated as coating material on titanium implants for fast fixation and firm implant-bone attachment due to its demonstrated bioactivity and osteointegration. In this work, gradient TiO(2)/CaSiO(3) coating on titanium was prepared by a two-step procedure, in which porous and nanostructured TiO(2) coating on titanium was prepared by plasma electrolytic oxidation in advance, and then needle and flake-like CaSiO(3) nanocrystals were deposited on the TiO(2) coating surface by electron beam evaporation.

Formation and bioactivity of porous and nanostructured TiO2/beta-TCP coating on titanium.

Titanium and its alloys have been widely used as hard tissue implants due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, their near bio-inertness and metallic ion release are still the problems with clinical uses. In this paper, porous and nanostructured TiO2/beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) composite coatings were prepared on titanium substrates by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in a Ca and P-containing electrolyte.

Nano-structured titanium coating for improving biological performance.

Nano-structured titanium coating was obtained by alkali treating the vacuum plasma sprayed samples following hot water immersing for 24 h. The influences of the surface microstructure on the biological performance were studied. A canine model was applied for in vivo evaluation of the bone bonding ability of the coatings.

Enhanced effects of nano-scale topography on the bioactivity and osteoblast behaviors of micron rough ZrO2 coatings.

Implant surface topography is one of the most important factors affecting the rate and extent of osseointegration. Randomly micron-roughened surfaces have been documented to support osteoblast adhesion, differentiation, and mineralized phenotype, and thus favoring bone fixation of implants to host tissues. However, few studies have been done yet to investigate whether their effects on osteoblast behaviors can be enhanced by incorporation of nano-scale topographic cues.

Nanostructured glass-ceramic coatings for orthopaedic applications.

Glass-ceramics have attracted much attention in the biomedical field, as they provide great possibilities to manipulate their properties by post-treatments, including strength, degradation rate and coefficient of thermal expansion. In this work, hardystonite (HT; Ca2ZnSi2O7) and sphene (SP; CaTiSiO5) glass-ceramic coatings with nanostructures were prepared by a plasma spray technique using conventional powders. The bonding strength and Vickers hardness for HT and SP coatings are higher than the reported values for plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings.

Microstructure, bioactivity and osteoblast behavior of monoclinic zirconia coating with nanostructured surface.

A monoclinic zirconia coating with a nanostructural surface was prepared on the Ti-6Al-4V substrate by an atmospheric plasma-spraying technique, and its microstructure and composition, as well as mechanical and biological properties, were investigated to explore potential application as a bioactive coating on bone implants. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the zirconia coating was composed of monoclinic zirconia which was stable at low temperature, and its surface consists of nano-size grains 30-50 nm in size. The bond strength between the coating and the Ti-6Al-4V substrate was 48.

Biological and antibacterial properties of plasma sprayed wollastonite/silver coatings.

In this work, plasma sprayed wollastonite/silver coatings were prepared to obtain an implant material having excellent bioactivity, cytocompatibility as well as antibacterial property. The surface characteristics of wollastonite/silver coating were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, atomic absorbance spectroscope and x-ray diffraction. The bioactivity was examined by simulated body fluid soaking test.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of plasma-sprayed Mg(2)SiO(4) coating on titanium alloy.

In this paper, chemically synthesized Mg(2)SiO(4) (MS) powder was plasma-sprayed onto a titanium alloy substrate to evaluate its application potentials in biomedicine. The phase composition and surface morphology of the MS coating were analyzed. Results showed that the MS coating was composed mainly of Mg(2)SiO(4) phase, with a small amount of MgO and glass phases.

In vitro bioactivity and phase stability of plasma-sprayed nanostructured 3Y-TZP coatings.

In this work, plasma-sprayed nanostructured zirconia coatings stabilized with 3mol.% yttria (3Y-TZP) were deposited on Ti substrates. The microstructure and phase composition of coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Anti-bacterial and cytotoxic properties of plasma sprayed silver-containing HA coatings.

Silver-containing hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings have been prepared on titanium substrate by vacuum plasma spraying (VPS) method and anti-bacterial properties of the coatings were examined. Three types of bacteria stains, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, were employed in this test. The results showed that the silver-containing HA coatings exhibited significant anti-bacterial effects against the three bacteria with anti-bacterial ratios higher than 95%.

UV-irradiation-induced bioactivity on TiO2 coatings with nanostructural surface.

Titania (TiO2) coatings with nanostructural surface prepared using plasma spraying technology were irradiated by ultraviolet light in simulated body fluids to improve their bioactivity. The in vitro bioactivity of the coatings was evaluated by investigating the formation of apatite on their surfaces in simulated body fluids. Bone-like apatite was observed to precipitate on the UV-irradiated TiO2 coating with nanostructural surface after it was immersed in simulated body fluid for a certain period, but not on the as-sprayed and UV-irradiated TiO2 coatings without nanostructural surface.

Biological and antibacterial properties of plasma sprayed wollastonite coatings grafting gentamicin loaded collagen.

In this work, gentamicin loaded collagen was grafted on the surface of plasma sprayed wollastonite coatings to obtain an implant having excellent bioactivity and cytocompatibility as well as antibacterial property. The bioactivity and cytocompatibility of the wollastonite coatings grafting gentamicin loaded collagen were examined by simulated body fluid (SBF) soaking test and in vitro cell culture test. The release rate of gentamicin from collagen was measured using UV spectrophotometer in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S.

Bioactivity and cytocompatibility of silicon wafers treated by water.

A range of bioactive ceramics can induce bone-like apatite to deposit on their surface in simulated body fluid (SBF). In this work, the silicon wafer was treated using deionized water to improve its bioactivity. The morphology and chemical composition of the treated silicon wafer was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Biocompatibility and antibacterial activity of plasma sprayed titania coating grafting collagen and gentamicin.

In this article, the plasma sprayed titania coatings were treated by grafting pure and gentamicin loaded collagen to improve the biocompatibility and antibacterial activity. The biocompatibility of the titania coating grafting collagen was evaluated by in vitro cell culturing test. The release rate of gentamicin from collagen was measured in tris-HCl buffer using UV spectrophotometer, and the antibacterial activity of the titania coating with gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus was examined using the zone of inhibition test.

Hydrogen plasma surface activation of silicon for biomedical applications.

Silicon has gradually been recognized to be an essential trace element in the normal metabolism of higher animals, and the role of silicon in the human body has aroused interests in the biomedical community. In fact, the interactions between silicon-based devices and the human body such as biosensors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) often suffer from poor biocompatibility. In this work, hydrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (H-PIII) is conducted to improve the bioactivity or bone conductivity of silicon.

Bioactivity and cytocompatibility of zirconia (ZrO(2)) films fabricated by cathodic arc deposition.

Zirconium oxide thin films were fabricated on silicon wafers using a filtered cathodic arc system in concert with oxygen plasma. The structure and phase composition of the zirconium oxide thin films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The bioactivity was assessed by investigating the formation of apatite on the film surface after soaking in simulated body fluids.

Acid-induced bioactive titania surface.

Nano- and conventional-TiO(2) powders were deposited onto titanium alloy using atmospheric plasma spraying technology. As-sprayed titania coatings were treated by H(2)SO(4) and HCl solutions at room temperature for 24 h, and the bioactivity was evaluated by simulated body fluid tests. Measured X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that as-sprayed titania coatings obtained from both nano and conventional powders were composed of primary rutile as well as a small quantity of anatase and Ti(3)O(5).

Effect of hydroxyapatite coating crystallinity on dissolution and osseointegration in vivo.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coating with different crystallinities were deposited by plasma spraying and vapor-flame treatment process. Their crystallinities are about 55 and 98%, respectively. These coatings were implanted in cortical bone, muscle, and marrow of dogs.

Early apatite deposition and osteoblast growth on plasma-sprayed dicalcium silicate coating.

Dicalcium silicate coating was deposited onto a Ti-6Al-4V substrate using plasma-spraying technology. The coating was immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h to investigate early apatite formation on the coating. Osteoblasts were also seeded onto the surface of the dicalcium silicate coating to evaluate its biocompatibility.