Biomedical Implant Coating for Improving Mechanical-Biological Properties: in vivo Study

Background: The utilization of osseointegration and its applications has facilitated significant improvements in the quality of life for individuals who have limb or bone loss. This is because osseointegration fosters growth and connection between the remaining bone and the biomaterial utilized to replace the missing bone. Objective: To achieve optimal biocompatibility and bioactivity with the living organism's bone, further development of biomaterials utilized in osseointegration applications is necessary. Methods: In this regard, the present study utilizes the plasma cold spray technique to deposit a coating comprising 10% silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and 90% hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles onto (Ti-6Al-4V-ASTM Grade 5) substrates. The properties of the coated layer were analyzed via implantation in a biological setting by conducting the implantation of coated and uncoated substrates into the bodies of living organisms, namely rabbits. Results: The findings indicated that the coating provided important values and advantages, including a unique distribution well-suited for usage in medical implants, as shown by the promising outcomes determined by mechanical and histological analysis of the coated implants subsequent to their implantation in the skeletal systems of living rabbits. Conclusions: The coating conditions with this technology can be easily controlled, along with cost optimization. The process of osseointegration was found to be positively correlated with the duration of healing.