A surgical implant has demonstrated an 87% success rate in eradicating the bacteria responsible for staph infections in laboratory trials.
Utilising cutting-edge 3D printing techniques, a team of researchers at Washington State University (WSU) augmented the typical titanium alloy used in implants with 10% tantalum, a metal resistant to corrosion, and 3% copper.
The presence of copper on the material’s surface ruptures the cell walls of bacteria upon contact, while tantalum promotes healthy tissue growth, accelerating the healing process.
The findings were published in the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing. This development can significantly enhance infection control in routine operations, including hip and knee replacements.
Colonising bacteria on implants is a significant cause of post-surgery failures and complications.
Professor Amit Bandyopadhyay, the study’s lead author and a Boeing Distinguished Professor in WSU’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, highlighted the persistent challenge posed by implant infections and stressed the need for materials offering inherent antibacterial properties.
The conventional titanium materials used in implants for decades have limitations in combatting infections despite surgeons administering pre-emptive antibiotics.
The emergence of infections immediately after surgery or as secondary infections weeks or months later poses life-threatening risks.
Remedying these often necessitates revision surgeries, adding to the complexity and risks for patients.
Co-author Susmita Bose, Westinghouse Distinguished Professor in the school, emphasised the profound advantage of a multifunctional implant capable of infection control and seamless integration with bone tissue.
Despite the significant strides made, the researchers aim to enhance the antibacterial efficacy further to surpass 99% without compromising tissue integration.
Additionally, they rigorously test the materials’ performance under real-world conditions to ensure durability, considering scenarios such as strenuous post-implantation activities.
The team actively collaborates with WSU’s Office of Commercialisation and has initiated the patenting process. Funding from the National Institutes of Health supported this breakthrough, which involved collaboration with researchers from Stanford University and WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The ongoing work signifies a promising step forward in revolutionising implant technology, potentially mitigating the pervasive threat of post-surgical infections and advancing patient outcomes.
Photo caption - Schematic of synergistic antibacterial efficacy and enhanced biocompatibility of Ti3Al2V–Cu–Ta alloys toward early-stage osseointegration. These implants are fabricated via multi-material additive manufacturing to impart continued bacterial resistance while enabling early bone formation through enhanced biocompatibility.
