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Published on: June 24, 2018
Antibacterial titanium surfaces for medical implants
1Department of Applied Science and Technology, Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino 10129, Italy.
Abstract:
Bacterial contamination is a critical problem in different fields (ranging from everyday life to space missions, and from medicine to biosensing). Specifically, in the case of medical implants, foreign materials are preferential sites for bacterial adhesion and microbial contamination, which can lead to the development of prosthetic infections. These problems can in turn lead to the necessity of a prolonged antibiotic therapy (which can last for years) and eventually to the removal of the device, with a consequent significant increase in the hospitalization times and costs, together with a stressful, painful and critical situation for the patient. Commercially pure titanium and its alloys are the most commonly used materials for permanent implants in contact with bone, and the prevention of infections on their surface is therefore a crucial challenge for orthopaedic and dental surgeons. The problem of the bacterial contamination of medical implants is briefly described in the first part of the present review. Then the most important inorganic antibacterial agents (Ag, Cu and Zn) are described, and this is followed by a review of the reported attempts of their introduction onto the surface of Ti-based substrates.
Insights
Bacterial contamination on medical implants causes infections, necessitating lengthy antibiotic treatments and device removal. This review explores inorganic antibacterial agents like silver, copper, and zinc for titanium implant surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Bacterial contamination of medical implants, particularly titanium-based ones, leads to severe prosthetic infections.
- These infections necessitate prolonged antibiotic therapies, device removal, increased healthcare costs, and patient distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical issue of bacterial contamination on medical implants.
- To explore the use of inorganic antibacterial agents (silver, copper, zinc) for titanium surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of bacterial contamination challenges in medical implants.
- Review of inorganic antibacterial agents (Ag, Cu, Zn).
- Analysis of methods for introducing these agents onto titanium substrates.
Main Results:
- Titanium and its alloys are prone to bacterial adhesion and subsequent infections.
- Silver, copper, and zinc are key inorganic antibacterial agents.
- Various strategies exist for incorporating these agents onto titanium surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Preventing bacterial contamination on titanium implants is crucial for orthopedic and dental applications.
- Inorganic antibacterial agents offer a promising strategy to combat implant-associated infections.
- Further research into the application of Ag, Cu, and Zn on Ti-based substrates is warranted.
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