Projects / Programmes
Advanced surface finishing technologies for antibacterial properties of patient specific 3D printed implantable materials
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.02.00 |
Medical sciences |
Stomatology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B000 |
Biomedical sciences |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.02 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Clinical medicine |
surface finishing, nanostructure, gaseous plasma, hydrothermal treatment, 3D printing, biocompatible, titanium alloy
Researchers (21)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Bacterial infections adhering on various surfaces kill worldwide more people than any other disease. Prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on medical devices and implants is currently a topic of significant importance in medical and social filed. Thus the scope of proposed project is aimed to address this issue. In particular surface modification of 3D printed patient specific implants will be studied, which gained significant attention due to the possibility to be designed to fit the specific patient anatomy (individualized implants). However the 3D printed implants still lack of desired biological response, especially prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. In the proposed project emphasis will be given on surface modification of 3D printed titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V ELI) increasingly employed as implants in orthopaedics and dental surgery. The main goal of the project is to alter surface properties of titanium alloy implants in order to reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, while at the same time improve natural bone growth (osteointegration). This will be achieved by altering important surface characteristics, such as surface nanotopography, chemistry and wettability, which play a vital role in biological response. Moreover the influence of surface finishing procedures on 3D printed materials with different surface morphologies (like trabecular outer surface) will be studied.
The main objectives of the project are:
i.) Fabrication of nanostructured- biomimetic surfaces by hydrothermal treatment (HT) which reduces bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on 3D printed titanium alloy.
ii.) Use of highly reactive gaseous plasma for reduced bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation and improved osteointegration on 3D printed titanium alloy.
iii.) Study the influence of surface finishing procedures (hydrothermal treatment, plasma treatment) on 3D printed titanium alloys with different surface morphologies (like trabecular outer surface- microstructure).
iv.) Study the synergistic effects of different surface modification techniques; hydrothermal treatment combined with gaseous plasma treatment in terms of improved surface properties (prevention of bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, improved osteointegration)
v.) Optimize surface conditioning (nanotopography, chemistry, wettability) to reduce bacterial adhesion and promote natural bone growth (osteointegration).
Significance for science
By combining the knowledge in the field of surface modification of 3D printed individualized implants (hydrothermal and plasma treatment), and interactions with biological environment new insights on this highly relevant topic are foreseen. Systematic research in this field will provide better insights on the influence of surface modification on biological response, with the emphasis on adhesion of gram negative and gram positive bacteria strains. The influence of nanotopography on interaction with biological material is still poorly understood, as different cell types reacts differently to nanotopographic features. Presently designing of an bacterial implant surface by altering surface nanotopographic features is highly challenging, as so far no exact information about which surface parameters actually play a predominant role in bacteria adhesion and biofilm formation. Moreover surface chemistry is also an important aspect which will be systematically studied during project duration. With the development of nanotechnologies we are now able to produce biomimetic surfaces, which mimics natural nanostructure of tissue and could provide appropriate biological response. For further development of optimal titanium implantable device the influence of different surface nanotopographies on bacterial adhesion is of major importance. The gained knowledge may become a milestone in production of the new generation of high value added biomimetic medical implants, which will significantly improve not only bacterial infections and reduce biofilm formation but also improve osteointegration. This may lead to the development of new generation individualized orthopaedic, spinal, maxillofacial and dental implants, which will reduce post-surgical complication and lower the risks of infections.
The proposed project will provide new understanding on bacterial adhesion mechanisms and will give basis for development of novel surface finishing techniques that could be easily employed in practice. Thus the gained knowledge has a high potential to become a milestone in surface finishing of medical devices made of titanium alloys, while novel findings on bacteria surface interaction will provide basic knowledge even for surface modification of medical devices made of other materials (also polymeric ones). This may open new research doors for development of medical filed, which will be driven by two currently highly advanced rapidly growing technologies; 3D printing and gaseous plasma technologies. Both of these technologies are gaining its importance in the medical filed as they offer numerous unexploited possibilities. Due to highly interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work needed to reach the innovation potential people from different fields (biology, material science, microbiology, mechanical engineering, electro engineering, chemical engineering etc) will need to work together in tight collaboration. The proposed project is based on such team and the anticipated results have high potential, not only for the research filed but also for the society and economy.
Significance for the country
By combining the knowledge in the field of surface modification of 3D printed individualized implants (hydrothermal and plasma treatment), and interactions with biological environment new insights on this highly relevant topic are foreseen. Systematic research in this field will provide better insights on the influence of surface modification on biological response, with the emphasis on adhesion of gram negative and gram positive bacteria strains. The influence of nanotopography on interaction with biological material is still poorly understood, as different cell types reacts differently to nanotopographic features. Presently designing of an bacterial implant surface by altering surface nanotopographic features is highly challenging, as so far no exact information about which surface parameters actually play a predominant role in bacteria adhesion and biofilm formation. Moreover surface chemistry is also an important aspect which will be systematically studied during project duration. With the development of nanotechnologies we are now able to produce biomimetic surfaces, which mimics natural nanostructure of tissue and could provide appropriate biological response. For further development of optimal titanium implantable device the influence of different surface nanotopographies on bacterial adhesion is of major importance. The gained knowledge may become a milestone in production of the new generation of high value added biomimetic medical implants, which will significantly improve not only bacterial infections and reduce biofilm formation but also improve osteointegration. This may lead to the development of new generation individualized orthopaedic, spinal, maxillofacial and dental implants, which will reduce post-surgical complication and lower the risks of infections.
The proposed project will provide new understanding on bacterial adhesion mechanisms and will give basis for development of novel surface finishing techniques that could be easily employed in practice. Thus the gained knowledge has a high potential to become a milestone in surface finishing of medical devices made of titanium alloys, while novel findings on bacteria surface interaction will provide basic knowledge even for surface modification of medical devices made of other materials (also polymeric ones). This may open new research doors for development of medical filed, which will be driven by two currently highly advanced rapidly growing technologies; 3D printing and gaseous plasma technologies. Both of these technologies are gaining its importance in the medical filed as they offer numerous unexploited possibilities. Due to highly interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work needed to reach the innovation potential people from different fields (biology, material science, microbiology, mechanical engineering, electro engineering, chemical engineering etc) will need to work together in tight collaboration. The proposed project is based on such team and the anticipated results have high potential, not only for the research filed but also for the society and economy.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
