New TiNb-based alloys, such as Ti–6Al–7Nb, are currently being studied around the world as an alternative to other Ti alloys, e.g., instead of Ti–6Al–4V. We conducted a pilot study where thin (approximately 1.2 micron) CaP coatings containing low doses of Zn2+ (0.4–0.8 wt.%) were prepared by the radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RFMS) of Zn-hydroxyapatite (HA) target on Ti–6Al–4V and Ti–6Al–7Nb substrates and investigated their physicochemical properties, in vitro solubility, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial and osteogenic activities. The thickness of the obtained coatings was approximately 1.2–1.3 microns. Zn substitution did not result in roughness or structural or surface changes in the amorphous CaP coatings. The distributions of Ca, P, and Zn were homogeneous across the film thickness as shown by the EDX mapping of these elements. Zn doping of CaP coatings on both types of Ti-based alloys statistically influenced the results of the scratch-test. However, obtained values are satisfactory to use Zn-CaP coatings on biomedical implants. Increased Zn2+ release vs. tapered output of Ca and phosphate ions occurred during 5 weeks of an in vitro immersion test in 0.9% NaCl solution. Ti–6Al–7Nb alloy, unlike Ti–6Al–4V, promoted more linear biodegradation of CaP coatings in vitro. As a result, CaP-based surfaces on Ti–6Al–7Nb, compared with on Ti–6Al–4V alloy, augmented the total areas of Alizarin red staining in a 21-day culture of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a statistically significant manner. Moreover, Zn–CaP coatings statistically reduced leukemic Jurkat T cell survival within 48 h of in vitro culture. Along with the higher solubility of the Zn–CaP surface, a greater reduction (4- to 5.5-fold) in Staphylococcus aureus growth was observed in vitro when 7-day extracts of the coatings were added into the microbial culture. Hence, Zn–CaP-coated Ti–6Al–7Nb alloy with controllable biodegradation as prepared by RFMS is a prospective material suitable for bone applications in cases where there is a risk of bacterial contamination with severe consequences, for example, in leukemic patients. Further research is needed to closely investigate the mechanical features and pathways of their solubility and antimicrobial, antitumor, and osteogenic activities.

Thermoablation is used in the treatment of tumorous bones. However, little is known about the influence such thermal treatment has on the mechanical properties of bone tissue. The purpose of this work was to study the influence of thermal treatment in a range of 60–100 °C (in increments of 10 °C) on the structural properties of pig femurs using an original approach that involved a periosteal arrangement of heating elements providing gradual dry heating of the bone from its periphery to its center. Heating of freshly extracted bone tissue segments was performed ex vivo using surface heaters of a Phoenix-2 local hyperthermia hardware system. Mechanical testing followed the single-axis compression scheme (traverse velocity of 1 mm/min). In the 60–90 °C range of heating, no attributes of reduced structural characteristics were found in the samples subjected to thermoablation in comparison to the control samples taken from symmetric areas of adjacent cylinders of healthy bones and not subjected to heat treatment. The following statistically significant changes were found as a result of compressing the samples to 100 °C after the heat treatment: reduced modulus of elasticity and increased elastic strain (strain-to-failure), mainly due to increases in plastic deformation. This finding may serve as evidence of a critical ex vivo change in the biomechanical behavior of bone tissues at such temperatures. Thus, ex vivo treatment of bone tissue in the thermal range of 60–90 °C may be used in studies of thermoablation efficiency against tumor involvement of bones.

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