Improvement of resurfacing in hip capoplasty implants with DLC, TiO2 and DLC-p-h nanocomposite coatings

Aim of project
The cost of implant operations in Europe is estimated at ten billion euros per year, and over 10% of these involve revision of worn and failed prostheses and are associated with human suff ering. Resurfacing hip implants are a novel, promising hip implant type, one that allows maximum preservation of the patient’s own bone. This speeds up the healing process and facilitates possible future revision surgery. The eff ects of the diamond- like carbon (DLC), novel DLC-polymer-hybrid (DLC-p-h) nanocomposite and titanium oxide (TiO2) coatings on resurfacing implants have not been studied yet.

Based on our earlier experiments with conventional hip implants, DLC coatings should drastically improve resurfacing implants by decreasing friction and wear and tear, which is of particular importance in terms of septic joints. Novel anti-soiling DLC-p-h nanocomposite coatings have the potential to further improve these implants. The osseointegration could be improved with TiO2 coating, as has already been shown with dental implants.

The aim of the study is acquire information on the microbiological, corrosion and wear properties of DLC and TiO2 coatings combined with resurfacing implants. The relation between friction and stress shielding is studied by comparing simulator data, FEM analysis and samples retrieved from patients.

Expected results

The ultimate goal of the project is the development of a new implant type.