Shimla: Researchers from IIT Mandi have created a bio-inspired surface coating on 3D-printed bone implants capable of mechanically disrupting bacteria and accelerating integration of the implant with bones.
The research has been published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.
It employs tiny hydroxyapatite structures, resembling sea urchins, on biodegradable plastic scaffolds to tackle two key problems with orthopaedic implants – bacterial infections and poor bone integration, a statement issued here said.
The research team, led by Dr Sumit Murab along with Ankita Negi, Aakash Verma, K.M. Mohammed Sufiyan and Vedante Mishra, developed a dual-layer coating using hydroxyapatite, a mineral that is a major constituent of human bone.
The coating process involves two stages. First, the 3D-printed PLA scaffold is treated with an alkaline solution to activate its surface and create sites for mineral deposition. In the second stage, the scaffold undergoes hydrothermal treatment at 90°C, resulting in clusters of hydroxyapatite needles arranged in a structure resembling the spiny surface of a sea urchin.
According to the researchers, these microscopic structures provide a bone-compatible mineral surface while also creating physical features capable of causing mechanical damage to bacteria. The approach could reduce bacterial colonisation without relying on antibiotics or conventional antibacterial chemicals.
The researchers said the combination of customised 3D printing and hydroxyapatite-based biomimetic coating could offer a promising route towards safer and more effective orthopaedic implants.
By improving the compatibility of PLA scaffolds with bone while creating a surface that mechanically discourages bacterial growth, the technology could address two important causes of implant complications.
The study highlights the potential of biomimicry — drawing inspiration from structures found in nature — to guide the development of next-generation biomedical materials and advance personalised solutions for complex bone defects.
