The feasibility of iodine-supported processing for titanium with different surfaces

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Infectious Disease Research
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Microbial infections significantly impact implant surgery success.
• Iodine-supported implants were developed for infection prevention and recognized in international guidelines.
• Investigating iodine integration with various metal surface properties is crucial for clinical translation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess iodine's applicability to metals with varying surface roughness.
• To analyze surface roughness changes post-processing.
• To determine the impact of sterilization on iodine content and antimicrobial efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Four Ti-6Al-4V metal samples with different surface roughness were processed using polishing, blasting, and plasma spraying.
• Surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and stylus profilometry before and after processing.
• Iodine content was quantified via X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy before and after sterilization.

Main Results:

• All processed metals exhibited sufficient iodine content for antimicrobial effect.
• Post-sterilization, iodine levels decreased but remained above the minimum effective concentration, preserving antimicrobial activity.
• Polishing resulted in increased surface roughness; iodine processing is compatible with general surface treatments.

Conclusions:

• Processing methods influence surface roughness, necessitating tailored iodine content based on sterilization techniques.
• Iodine processing is suitable for clinical applications in implant surgery, enhancing infection prevention.