Picosecond laser texturing on titanium alloy for biomedical implants in cell proliferation and vascularization

Introducing specific textures to titanium alloy implant surface is helpful to modify the surface properties of materials. In this article, biomedical TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) alloy was textured by a 10-ps infrared laser. Laser parameters that directly affected the detailed dimension of textures and its characteristics were optimized within laser power, defocusing amount, and scanning parameters via response surface methodology. These textures consisted of groove array about 30-90 μm in depth and 100 μm in width were prepared and their surface property (including surface morphology, element composition, wetting behavior, and biocompatibility) was analyzed. Surface characteristic analysis indicated that picosecond laser texturing improved surface properties and biocompatibility mainly by altering the microstructure and morphology of materials. In addition, laser textured groove array promoted contact area and hydrophobicity of material surface. Cell culture experiments and animal studies showed that titanium alloy implants with 30- and 60-μm-deep groove arrays on the surface-enhanced cell proliferation and adhesion. Meanwhile, compared to the polished samples, these groove arrays promoted the growth of new blood vessels and enhanced the combination of blood vessel and implants in vivo. That is, the deeper groove array was, and the better vascularizing effect the blood vessel exhibited.