Who has ITEK helped?

Improved hydroxyapatite coatings for orthopaedic and dental implants

The Wark Nanocoating

The use of hydroxyapatite (HA) in orthopaedics and dentistry has offered surfaces that have promoted the growth of bone around the implant. However, HA has a number of drawbacks, it can become dislodged in vivo causing loosening and can contribute to wear particles. Its resorption requires significant bone remodeling which often leaves inadequate bone / implant integration. HA is a difficult material to apply thinly and evenly, and almost impossible for small intricate implants.

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Current HA at implantation above

… and after 6 weeks

Now, there is a better way, the Wark Nanocoating; an ultra thin HA layer over a powerfully bonded and very hard layer of bioactive silica.

Wark Nanocoating showing better and faster integration at implantation.

… and after 6 weeks

Faster: The Wark Nanocoating offers faster integration of implants with bone, one sheep trial showed 50% increase in bone/implant contact after 6 weeks. The speed of bone integration is due to:-

Thinness of the nanocoating: at 500 times thinner than most plasma sprayed HA coatings, bone has only a fraction of the distance to grow and HA to resorb

· The even coating and negative surface charge means bone cells will adhere to the surface more efficiently and rapidly

· Low crystalinity promotes faster post implantation processes including incorporation of growth factors onto the coating so speeding lamellar bone formation.

The Wark Nanocoating can be applied to any size or shaped implant without compromising intricate surface preparation. For example, now HA coatings on small grit blasted screws are possible.

Stronger: The Wark Nanocoating is 8 times stronger than plasma sprayed HA. The patented Plasma (ionized gas) Deposition process produces a very hard graded layer of bioactive silica with HA on top. Following HA resorption the osseointegration into porous surfaces is enhanced and the hardness of the bioactive silica reduces wear particle formation. Wark bioactive silica has been shown to have a low inflammatory response. The result is a very strong and enduring bone / implant bond with resistance to loose particle formation. 

Cheaper: At just a third of the cost of plasma spraying, the Wark Plasma Deposition is:-

• Low temperature
  
• Easier and more reliable than plasma spraying
  
• Uses manageable bench top equipment.
  

We have developed the process to offer you highly reproducible coatings to assured quality standards. Talk to us about a turn key installation.

Online Resources

• Brochure
• Watch the Video

Contact Details:

Mark Bruce
Commercialisation Manager
University of South Australia
Mawson Lakes Campus
telephone: +61 8 8302 5300