Development of Laser-Structured Liquid-Infused Titanium with Strong Biofilm-Repellent Properties

authored by

Katharina Doll, Elena Fadeeva, Joern Schaeske, Tobias Ehmke, Andreas Winkel, Alexander Heisterkamp, Boris N. Chichkov, Meike Stiesch, Nico S. Stumpp

Abstract

Medical implants are commonly used in modern medicine but still harbor the risk of microbial infections caused by bacterial biofilms. As their retrospective treatment is difficult, there is a need for biomedical materials that inhibit bacterial colonization from the start without using antibacterial agents, as these can promote resistance development. The promising concept of slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) possesses enormous potential for this purpose. In the present study, this principle was applied to titanium, a common material in implantology, and its biofilm-repellent properties were demonstrated. To simplify prospective approval of the medical device and to avoid chemical contamination, surface structuring was performed by ultrashort pulsed laser ablation. Four different structures (hierarchical micro- and nanosized spikes, microsized grooves, nanosized ripples, and unstructured surfaces) and five infusing perfluoropolyethers of different viscosities were screened; the best results were obtained with the biomimetic, hierarchical spike structure combined with lubricants of medium viscosities (20-60 cSt at 37 °C, 143 AZ, and GPL 104). The surfaces exhibited extremely low contact angle hysteresis, as is typical for liquid-infused materials and a reliable 100-fold reduction of human oral pathogen Streptococcus oralis biofilms. This characteristic was maintained after exposure to shear forces and gravity. The titanium SLIPS also inhibited adherence of human fibroblasts and osteoblasts. Toxicity tests supported the explanation that solely the surface’s repellent properties are responsible for the vigorous prevention of the adhesion of bacteria and cells. This use of physically structured and liquid-infused titanium to avoid bioadhesion should support the prevention of bacterial implant-associated infections without the use of antibacterial agents.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Quantum Optics

External Organisation(s)

Hannover Medical School (MHH)
Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH)

Type

Article

Journal

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Volume

9

Pages

9359-9368

No. of pages

10

ISSN

1944-8244

Publication date

23.02.2017

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Materials Science

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.6b16159 (Access: Closed)