Multifunctional biocoatings for orthopaedic and dental implants

关节置换术和牙科植入物代表了合成材料在疾病治疗和组织功能恢复方面的成功应用。一些遗留的问题包括可能的感染，骨愈合过程缓慢，早期种植体松动。随着关节置换术数量的稳步增加（2002-2003年加拿大髋关节和膝关节置换术住院近50,000例），迫切需要新型骨科和牙科植入物，这些植入物可以更早地与骨骼结合并持续更长时间。为了应对这些挑战，本生物材料研究计划将重点发展多功能生物涂层。多功能生物涂层是一种具有高生物学功能（生物活性）、药理功能（抗感染、抗骨溶解）以及机械功能（坚固性）的涂层。该想法是将多功能生物涂层应用于骨科和牙科种植体，以实现种植体的早期固定和寿命。将建立研究项目，以解决多功能生物涂层的关键问题，从新型生物活性涂层的加工，表面设计，药物输送到涂层的完整性。在生物活性涂料的设计、加工和质量控制等方面有望取得重大进展；与药物（抗生素、双膦酸盐）的相互作用；并制定临床相关检测标准。该研究项目将对新一代骨科植入物的发展、医疗保健和学生培训做出重大贡献。

Joint replacement and dental implants represent the successful applications of synthetic materials in the treatment of diseases and the restoration of tissue functions. Some of the remaining issues include possible infection, slow bone healing process, and early implant loosening. With the steady increase in the number of joint replacements performed (nearly 50,000 hospitalizations for hip and knee replacements in 2002-2003 in Canada), there is an urgent need for novel orthopaedic and dental implants that can integrate with bone earlier and last longer.    To meet the challenges, this biomaterials research proposal will be focused on the development of multifunctional biocoatings. A multifunctional biocoating is a coating that possesses high biological functions (bioactivity), pharmacological functions (anti-infection, anti-osteolysis), as well as mechanical functions (robust). The idea is to apply the multifunctional biocoatings to orthopaedic and dental implants to achieve both early implant fixation and longevity. Research projects will be established to address key issues in multifunctional biocoatings, from the processing of novel bioactive coatings, surface design, drug delivery, to coating integrity. Significant progress is expected in the following directions: the design, processing and quality control of bioactive coatings; the interaction with drugs (antibiotics, bisphosphonates); and the development of clinically relevant testing standards. The research program will have significant contributions to the development of new generation of orthopaedic implants, to the health care, and to the training of students.