A new surface processing technology was developed that is expected to increase the dissolution speed and biocompatibility of biodegradable iron implants used in orthopedics. The study result of the research team, composed of Professor Jung, Hyeon-do of Biomedical Chemical Engineering of the Catholic University of Korea, Professor Jang, Tae-sik of New Material Engineering of Chosun University, and Professor Kim, Hyun of Materials Science & Engineering of Seoul National University, is expected to be published in the March issue of Bioactive Material (Impact factor=14.593), an authority magazine on biomaterials, next year.

  The metal type implant that is used in treating fracture or in inserting the artificial joint was being used to treat a part of the damaged area or replace a part of the damaged body. However, in recent times, magnesium, iron, and zinc have been receiving a lot of attention for new materials of an implant in the field of orthopedics for their ability to dissolve naturally and for their toxic-free biodegradable property. Above all, the iron is an excellent biomaterial, that it is even recorded to be used as a replacement of teeth during the Romans period. However, its way to become the biodegradable implant proved to be quite challenging due to its extremely slow dissolution speed, not to mention its uneven dissolution. Numerous studies have been conducted in the past to increase the dissolution speed of iron by various means of coating, but they faced a technological difficulty of maintaining the coating function for a long period of time.

  Professor Jung, Hyeon-do and his team, however, finally managed to develop an implant surface processing technology that improves the dissolution speed and biocompatibility of iron with its long-lasting coating function. The team used the target-ion induced plasma spluttering (TIPS) with the biometal tantalum to create a nano-patterned tantalum layer on the surface of the orthopedic iron layer, and this increased the dissolution speed to suit the speed of bone tissues and enhanced the cohesion of tissues. As a result, the team came up with implant surface processing technology that is durable and persistent.

  Professor Jung of Catholic University and his team expect this technology to be applied in various materials aside from iron, such as ceramic and other polymer materials. They will thus conduct a follow-up study on the applicability of the technology in stent procedures and electronic devices inserted in bodies.