In the April 2018 Spine Special Edition, Ira Fedder, MD, of Towson (Md.) Orthopaedic Associates, penned an article describing surface coating with nanoparticles for spinal implants.
Here are the key trends from the article.
1. Implants that influence the surrounding cell-recruitment and oseeointegration are known as bioactive implants, which are becoming more popular as surgeons choose them over passive mechanical devices.
2. The move to bioactive implants could evolve the implant design more toward "interactions of cells on the surrounding matrix through integrins and other cytoskeletal components," according to the article. As a result, nanotopographical features could be incorporated into more implants.
3. The move to micro and nano environments will make room for design and innovation on the molecular level. Customized nanotextured surfaces may optimize cellular adhesion and growth onto the implant surface.
4. Roughened surfaces can increase nanotexturing, according to the article, which has been proven to increase both cellular adhesion and growth for titanium implants. "Anodizing titanium in the appropriate environment will allow for the development of nanotubules, which may improve not just adhesion in an in vitro environment, but also cellular proliferation," wrote Dr. Fedder.
5. The bioactive implants could become part of the molecular and cellular healing process.