Effect of SiC Particle Contents and Size on the Microstructure and Dissolution of SiC-Hydroxyapatite Coatings

Carbon/carbon composites, when used as bone implant materials, do not adhere well to the bone tissues because of their non-bioactive characteristics. Therefore, we electro-deposited SiC-hydroxyapatite coatings (with an ultrasound-assisted step) on carbon/carbon composites. We analyzed how the content and size of the SiC particles affected the structure, morphology, bonding strength and dissolution of the SiC-hydroxyapatite coatings. The hydroxyapatite coating dissolution properties were assessed by the released Ca2+ and the weight loss. The SiC-hydroxyapatite coating on naked carbon/carbon composites showed a more compact microstructure in comparison to the hydroxyapatite coating on carbon/carbon composites. The reasons for the changes in the microstructure and the improvement in the adhesion of the coatings on C/C were discussed. Moreover, the addition of SiC particles increased the binding strengths of the hydroxyapatite coating on C/C composite, as well as reduced the dissolution rate of the hydroxyapatite coating.

3D Printed Multifunctional PEEK Bone Scaffold for Multimodal Treatment of Osteosarcoma and Osteomyelitis

<p>In this work, we developed the first 3D PEEK based bone scaffold with multi-functions targeting challenging bone diseases such as osteosarcoma and osteomyelitis. 3D printed PEEK/graphene nanocomposite scaffold was deposited with drug laden (antibiotics and/or anti-cancer drugs) hydroxyapatite coating. The graphene nanosheets within the scaffold served as effective photothermal agents that endowed the scaffold with on-demand photothermal conversion function under NIR laser irradiation. The bioactive hydroxyapatite coating significantly boosted the stem cell proliferation <i>in vitro</i> and promoted the new bone growth <i>in vivo</i>. The presence of antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs enabled eradication of drug resistant bacteria as well as ablation of osteosarcoma cancer cells, the treatment efficacy of which can be further enhanced by the on-demand laser induced heating. The promising results demonstrate the strong potential of our multi-functional scaffold in applications such as bone defect repair as well as multimodal treatment of osteosarcoma and osteomyelitis.</p>

3D Printed Multifunctional PEEK Bone Scaffold for Multimodal Treatment of Osteosarcoma and Osteomyelitis

<p>In this work, we developed the first 3D PEEK based bone scaffold with multi-functions targeting challenging bone diseases such as osteosarcoma and osteomyelitis. 3D printed PEEK/graphene nanocomposite scaffold was deposited with drug laden (antibiotics and/or anti-cancer drugs) hydroxyapatite coating. The graphene nanosheets within the scaffold served as effective photothermal agents that endowed the scaffold with on-demand photothermal conversion function under NIR laser irradiation. The bioactive hydroxyapatite coating significantly boosted the stem cell proliferation <i>in vitro</i> and promoted the new bone growth <i>in vivo</i>. The presence of antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs enabled eradication of drug resistant bacteria as well as ablation of osteosarcoma cancer cells, the treatment efficacy of which can be further enhanced by the on-demand laser induced heating. The promising results demonstrate the strong potential of our multi-functional scaffold in applications such as bone defect repair as well as multimodal treatment of osteosarcoma and osteomyelitis.</p>