Generation of biocompatible titanium alloy surfaces including calcium and phosphorus elements by laser-induced mist spraying wet treatment

Titanium alloys are widely used for the hard tissue substitute implants. However, it is necessary to improve interfacial biocompatibility to reduce adhesion period. For improvement of biocompatibility of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloys, texture and chemical composition on contact part with biological tissue play very important roles. In this research, micro texture was generated on the Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy surfaces utilizing laser irradiation, in order to improve biocompatibility. The biocompatibility was evaluated by osteoblast cell culture assays. The results indicated the surface having micro texture improve biocompatibility as com-pared with untreated surface. This was considered in order the fact that the formed modified surface had hydrophilicity, thereby improving the cell compatibility, and the cell adhesion due to the complicated shape. In addition, mist of glycerophosphoric acid calcium aqueous solution was applied on the laser irradiated area. As result, micro texture including Ca and P elements was generated on the Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy surfaces. When laser was irradiated, glycerophosphoric acid calcium aqueous solution was applied as mist flowed on the test pieces as droplet. The velocity of droplet fluid was relatively fast, so that laser irradiation was unhindered access to the surface of test pieces and the treatment was stable. In order to estimate biocompatibility, culture assays using osteoblast cells were conducted on the treated surface having micro texture including Ca and P elements. As results, it was clearly that biocompatibility of the specimen treated by laser with glycerophosphoric acid calcium aqueous solution mist more improved than either untreated specimen or treated specimen soaked in glycerophos-phoric acid calcium aqueous solution.