Electrohydrodynamic atomization technique for applying phospholipid coatings to titanium implant materials

Phospholipid coatings on titanium implants have been shown to enhance osteoblast activity, promote mineralization, and facilitate implant osseointegration in vivo. To date, dip and drip coating techniques have been used to apply these coatings. These coating techniques are easy to perform, but present difficulties in controlling the characteristics of the coating on the final surface, resulting in inconsistent, non-uniform, non-conformal coatings that are too thick for in vivo use.Electrohydrodynamic atomization (electro-spraying or e-spraying) is a versatile and easy method of creating thin, uniform and consistent coatings by atomizing a liquid with electrical forces. e-Spraying provides the advantage of being able to create coatings with relatively high efficiencies, while providing good control of coating morphology, especially on rough and intricately shaped surfaces, which is an important consideration for cell attachment and growth. Other advantages of this technique are low cost and easy setup. The purpose of this study was to develop an e-spraying technique for applying phospholipid coatings on commercially pure titanium implant materials.

► We showed that thin phospholipid coatings can be electro-sprayed on titanium. ► Key e-spray parameters provide predictable control of coating characteristics. ► e-Spraying is highly repeatable on flat and 3D titanium shapes. ► e-Spraying is easy to perform, low cost and flexible.