New Coatings for Implants Reduce Risk of Infection
HELSINKI, Finland - Researchers at Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland, have developed coatings for medical implants that reduce the chance of infection.
Medical implants are commonly made from metals such as titanium alloys. During the processing of these materials, they are made to be porous, which prepares them for medical use. This porosity is important to ensure good contact between the implant and the bone, but it also allows dangerous bacteria to adhere and grow both on the surface and inside, which leads to increased risk of infection.