Chapter 5 – Thin Degradable Coatings for Optimization of Osseointegration Associated With Simultaneous Infection Prophylaxis

The colonization of biomaterials with bacteria represents the main cause of implant-associated infections. Both an antibiotic prophylaxis and a faster osseointegration can be obtained by the incorporation of bactericidally active metals in degradable calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings. We have shown that thin CaP-containing layers with copper doping can be prepared with the aid of the high-velocity suspension flame spraying (HVSFS) coating process. For the HVSFS process initially, appropriate suspensions with finely dispersed submicrometer and nanoscale particles doped with copper were produced. We established the necessary process for the HVSFS suspensions, obtaining very finely structured, thin homogeneous layers. The materials with metal additive showed no change in biocompatibility after deposition on a metal substrate. Suspension thermal spraying is an optimal technology for yielding simultaneously thin and antibacterial coatings on metallic prosthetic devices.