Improved bioactivity of GUMMETAL(®), Ti(59)Nb(36)Ta(2)Zr(3)O(0.3), via formation of nanostructured surfaces

The leading reason for implant revision surgery globally is lack of implant integration with surrounding bone. A new titanium alloy GUMMETAL(®) (Ti(59)Nb(36)Ta(2)Zr(3)O(0.3)) is currently used in biomedical devices and has a Young’s modulus that is better matched to bone. The surface was subject to NaOH, CaCl(2), heat and water treatment (BioGum) after which the surfaces were evaluated using atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and elemental analysis using energy dispersive X-ray. To demonstrate enhanced bone bonding ability and cytocompatibility, apatite formation in simulated body fluid and in vitro stem cell attachment, proliferation and cytoskeleton organisation were examined. The formation of a ~200 nm nanoscale needle-like calcium titanate network on the surface following treatment was revealed and upon soaking in simulated body fluid, the formation of a ~5 µm layer of apatite. Metabolic activity of rat bone marrow stem cells on BioGum was increased in comparison to control and the cell number appeared greater, with more elongated morphology as early as 2 h post-seeding. This positions the modification as a simple and potentially universal technology for the improvement of implant integration.