Bio-ceramic coating for metal implants with superior biocompatibility and osseointegration

A UK innovative company has been developing a novel bioceramic coating for about five years. Their patented electrochemical technology focuses on nanoceramic coating on metal implants and functionalisation of ceramic surfaces. The company has developed technology that can provide a stable and chemically neutral and biocompatible ceramic surface that is expected to reduce the local tissues’ immune reaction, by providing corrosion resistance and a coherent scratch resistant bio-active ceramic surface. It occurs through application of an electrochemical oxidation (ECO) process that combines oxidation of substrate titanium alloy with elementary co-deposition of electrolyte materials to yield an oxidised bio-ceramic layer (20 µm thickness) that contains a range of desirable composition variables such as titanium and zirconium oxides, strontium or silicon, and biological anions such as phosphates, fluorides etc. These beneficial bio-ceramic compositions on the surface of titanium alloys have been demonstrated to enhance osseointegration, and to provide corrosion and scratch/wear resistance. Novel bioceramic surfacing for Ti has a superior combination of functional properties compared to commercially available treatments. In the core of it is a chemical conversion of the alloy surface to form a stable ceramic oxide material which prevents metal corrosion and release of harmful metal ions into tissue. Highly convoluted surface morphology with optimised roughness and nano-topography provides required wettability and enhances osseointegration. ECO bioceramic coating has also been evaluated to enhance corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of magnesium implants. The major drawback of magnesium alloys as implants is their exceptionally high corrosion rate in the physiological environment. The application of the ECO bioceramic can be used to impact upon the rate of Mg degradation by controlling the coating thickness and density. In contrast to conventional plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process the ECO process forms a compact bioceramic layer with desirable topography and definable elemental composition. It enables the integration of a wide range of elements into the ceramic layer such as P, Ca, F, Si, Sr, Zr. Highly developed hydrophilic ECO-bioceramic surfaces on magnesium enables efficient retention of drugs or biodegradable polymeric top coatings. The company has produced proof of concept in vitro and small animal in vivo study for one type Ti alloy. They wish to partner with developers and manufacturers of implants and orthopaedics, to run similar tests on Mg and to take both groups of alloys into large animal and human studies. The type of cooperation for that can be R&D or technical cooperation. Once the devices have been proven, the UK company will license them out and transfer the know-how as it will make economic sense to shift the manufacturing to the partners. During the construction of new plant, a commercial agreement with technical assistance would also be necessary in addition to the license agreement. The UK company would have to build parts of the plant as they are rather specific.