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This work aims to improve the adhesion of a hybrid non-isocyanate polydimethylsiloxane urethane (PDMSUr) coating by producing active layers on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) and stainless steel (SS316L) applying pulsed Nd:YAG laser and oxygen plasma. The PDMSUr is a hybrid adhesive and, when functionalized with alkoxysilane groups, can bind onto the interfacial hydroxyl groups of a (hydr)oxide/carbonate layer by sol–gel reactions. These reactions are acid catalysed and the silanol groups can bind through Si–O–metal links. The pull-off-strength of such sustainable coatings raised more than 100% for both substrates after the physical treatments, compared with the substrates etched. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) of a freshly pre-treated substrate revealed the formation of thin oxide-based reactive layers on the surface of Ti6Al4V and SS316L after the surface treatments. Both physical procedures were efficient to create oxide layers on top of metallic substrates and contributed to the improvement of adhesion strength of PDMSUr on biomedical grade metals

Implant-associated infections represent a serious risk in human medicine and can lead to complications, revisions and in worst cases, amputations. To target these risks, the objective was to design a hybrid implant surface that allows a local burst release of antibiotics combined with long-term antimicrobial activity based on silver. The efficacy should be generated with simultaneous in vitro cytocompatibility. The investigations were performed on titanium K-wires and plates and gentamicin was selected as an illustrative antibiotic. A gentamicin depot (max 553 µg/cm2) was created on the surface using laser structuring. The antibiotic was released within 15 min in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or agar medium. Metallic silver particles (4 µg/cm2) in a titanium dioxide layer were deposited using plasma vapor deposition (PVD). About 16% of the silver was released within 28 days in the agar medium. The local efficacy of the incorporated silver was demonstrated in a direct contact assay with a reduction of more than 99.99% (Escherichia coli). The local efficacy of the hybrid surface was confirmed in a zone of inhibition (ZOI) assay using Staphylococcus cohnii. The biocompatibility of the hybrid surface was proven using fibroblasts and osteoblasts as cell systems. The hybrid surface design seems to be promising as treatment of implant-associated infections, considering the achieved amount and release behavior of the active ingredients (gentamicin, silver). The generated in vitro results (efficacy, biocompatibility) proofed the concept. Further in vivo studies will be necessary translate the hybrid surface towards clinical applied research.

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