Nano-structured titanium coating for improving its biological performance

A nano-structured titanium coating was obtained by alkali treating the plasma sprayed samples following hot water immersing for 24 hours. The influences of the surface microstructure on the biological performance were studied. The proliferation and differentiation of the human bone marrow-derived stromal cells (hBMSCs) were obviously higher on the nano-structured surface than which on the as-sprayed one. A canine model was applied for in vivo evaluation of the bone bonding ability of the coatings. The histological examination demonstrated that more new bone was formed on the nano-structured coating implants and grew more rapidly into the porosity. After 4 weeks implantation, the nano-structured coating implants were found to appose directly to the surrounding bone while a gap could still be observed at the interface between the as-sprayed coating implants and bone. All these results illustrate that the surface microstructure plays a key role on the response of the osteoblasts and bone bonding of the implants.