Evaluation of Ag containing hydroxyapatite coatings to the Candida albicans infection.

In this research work, the synthesis of Ag doped hydroxyapatite coatings for dental or orthopedic implants was performed. The main goal was to determine the influence of Ag content on the roughness and antimicrobial performance of the prepared thin films. The films were deposited on Ti6Al4V alloy by means of RF magnetron sputtering. Those coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and 3D surface profilometry. The antifungal activity after 1 and 7days of culture was evaluated in the presence of Candida albicans (ATCC - 10231). The increase of Ag content increased roughness and reduced the antifungal activity. The results showed that the Ag doped hydroxyapatite coatings can be a potential solution for the improvement of the antifungal activities of Ti based alloy.

Stainless steel surface biofunctionalization with PMMA-bioglass coatings: compositional, electrochemical corrosion studies and microbiological assay.

A solution is proposed to surpass the inconvenience caused by the corrosion of stainless steel implants in human body fluids by protection with thin films of bioactive glasses or with composite polymer-bioactive glass nanostructures. Our option was to apply thin film deposition by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) which, to the difference to other laser or plasma techniques insures the protection of a more delicate material (a polymer in our case) against degradation or irreversible damage. The coatings composition, modification and corrosion resistance were investigated by FTIR and electrochemical techniques, under conditions which simulate their biological interaction with the human body. Mechanical testing demonstrates the adhesion, durability and resistance to fracture of the coatings. The coatings biocompatibility was assessed by in vitro studies and by flow cytometry. Our results support the unrestricted usage of coated stainless steel as a cheap alternative for human implants manufacture. They will be more accessible for lower prices in comparison with the majority present day fabrication of implants using Ti or Ti alloys.