Growing biocompatible implants for surgical applications has become easier than ever before, say a multidisciplinary team of German scientists.

The team, led by Matthias Epple from the University of Duisburg-Essen, have functionalised thin films of calcium phosphate using a laser beam. 

Calcium phosphate is the main constituent of human bones and teeth, making it a promising material to integrate easily into the body for use as prosthetic implants.

The team electrochemically deposited a thin film of calcium phosphate nanoparticles onto a metallic surface. They then used an argon ion laser beam to create a pattern on the surface. The pattern could be altered by changing the speed and intensity of the laser beam, giving rise to a textured surface. 

This texture could be used to direct the growth of cells and might be used to produce implants for teeth or bones. This is a growing area of medical research and the success of the implant depends on the strength of the bonding to the surrounding tissue, said Epple. Calcium phosphate's biocompatibility makes this work particularly promising.

The team is continuing to work with physiologists, and 'if everything works out well, the work described here could develop into a new method to coat surgical implants, such as total hip or tooth implants,' said Epple.

Sophia Anderton