BIOMIMETIC CALCIUM PHOSPHATE IMPLANT COATINGS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME

摘要

This invention encompasses porous, nanocrystalline, biomimetic calcium phosphate coatings of the order of 2-30 microns that can be grown on metal implants. The chemical surface treatments and methods for making the calcium phosphate coatings are disclosed. Post treatment with dilute hydrogels such as phema (polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate) reinforce the inorganic structure and enhance the mechanical strength of the coatings. Methods are also disclosed for adsorbing or covalently attaching growth factor proteins to derivatives of the hydrogel coated calcium phosphate coatings. Such hydrogel reinforced calcium phosphate coatings show equivalent bone tissue growth as the currently used implants and are easily resorbed. This property in combination with the immobilized growth factors is expected to enhance the process of osteointegration of the disclosed coatings.