Russian Scientists Created an "Antibacterial Implant"

The scientists from the NUST "MISIS" (National University of Science and Technology), together with colleagues from the Czech Republic and the USA, have created an absolutely new material for implants, a tvbrics.com correspondent reports with the reference to ria.ru.

The newly-invented material prevents development of bacterial infections after surgeries, due to platinum and iron nanoparticles. In 12 hours after installation, it can destroy up to 98% of bacteria. Publication about the invention of the Russian scientists has been published in the Applied Materials & Interfaces magazine.

New material can successfully suppress growth and distribution of pathogenic bacteria and at the same time, it does not concern immune cells – lymphocytes.

"We implanted ions of platinum and iron into the matrix, i.e. the biocompatible ceramic covering TiCaPCON (titanium-calcium-phosphorus-carbon-oxygen-nitrogen). As a result, metal nanoparticles as small as several nanometers, are formed on the surface. Between nanoparticles and the ceramic matrix, voltage difference about 60 mV appears. In case of contact with the surface of material, a membrane of a bacterium can be destroyed", said Victor Ponomarev, the chief author of the research, graduate student of the Department of Powder Metallurgy and Functional Coatings of NUST "MISIS".

A propos, a bacterial infection is a real threat after surgical intervention and at implant installation. For example, its probability in case of complicated fractures reaches 30 percent, which demands re-surgery if antibiotics do not help.

It should be noted that the new covered implant has one more effect: after its sterilization under ultra-violet rays, a large number of free radicals generate, which kills bacteria.

According to the inventors, this material destroys Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis, collibacillus and Klebsiella pneumoniae in several hours. The invention can be applied after it is tested on live organisms.

By the way, the new material can become quite a find in the water filter industry.