"Improved Hydroxylapatite Coatings for Dental and Orthopedic Applications"

Laserapatite® - The Coating of the New Century

Industrial need

In implant surgery early failings of non-cemented implants due to malfunctioning porous coatings cause serious problems. Hydroxylapatite or other porous coatings are often coming off and do not have the right adhesion. The same problem does also occure in other industrial fields using thin ceramics coatings on metalic materials. Therefore, not only medical but also turbines, automotive, and chemical industry is urgently searching for improved coatings, and new applications with better adhesion.

Project objectives

Our goal was to select Improved Hydroxylapatite Powders and use a new technology to tighten it with the substrate material, of dental and orthopedical implants to meet the requirements of this specific field.

Hip Prosthesis

Wire Plate

Approach / Innovative aspects

Besides selecting suitable Hydroxylapatite powder we chose a new technology, called Pulsed Laser Deposition with an Excimer Laser. The technology will be applied in a vacuum chamber using Argon gas.

Project partnership

In the 5" Framework Programme we want to set up a new consortium with universities, especially for clinical trials and testing of coated implants. We are also looking for industrial partners, especially SMEs, for coating and developing implants. Partners of the plasma spraying industry are welcome, too. We want to launch new improved products on the cementless joint surgery on the market. Partners of other industrial fields can also be integrated in this project.

Project status and recent results

The 4th Framework Programme Brite Euram-Craft Project covers: Coating of various substrates including a animal hip prosthesis. Tests of physical and biological aspects according to EC regulations. Test of biocompatibility and bioactivity by invitro tests and invivo tests. Comparison of Laserapatite and Plasma Spray coatings shows good results. Adhesion > 58MPA and a thin coating of 1 - 3µm.

Laser

Results:

Excellent adhesion - No need of implant surface preparation - Laserapatite can be applied on polished surfaces such as glass, optical devices, etc. - Laserapatite coatings are homogeneous and show high cohesion without the brittleness of those produced by plasma spray.