Drug-Releasing Antibacterial Coating Made from Nano-Hydroxyapatite Using the Sonocoating Method

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Medical implants carry a risk of bacterial infection on their surfaces.
• Orthopedics seeks implant surfaces with both bone integration and antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a bioactive coating on polyether ether ketone (PEEK) with bone growth-promoting and antibacterial capabilities.
• To evaluate the coating's adherence, thickness, drug loading, release kinetics, and antibacterial efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle coating on PEEK using the sonocoating method (ultrasound-assisted nanoparticle suspension).
• Loading of cefuroxime sodium salt (Cef) antibiotic onto the coated substrate.
• Assessment of coating thickness, drug loading capacity (up to 1 mg/cm²), and in vitro drug release profile.
• Evaluation of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Main Results:

• The sonocoating method produced a well-adhering hydroxyapatite layer on PEEK with thickness ranging from 219 nm to 764 nm.
• Antibiotic loading achieved up to 1 mg/cm², with an initial burst release within 24 hours followed by stable linear release.
• The drug-loaded coating demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus for up to 168 hours.

Conclusions:

• A simple and effective sonocoating method can create a biocompatible hydroxyapatite layer on PEEK.
• This coating can be loaded with antibiotics to impart antibacterial properties, offering a promising approach for medical implants.
• The developed coating holds potential for various orthopedic applications, reducing infection risk and promoting bone integration.