Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (21): 3430-3437.doi: 10.12307/2023.131

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Research progress on antibacterial properties of medical copper-containing titanium alloys

Shen Yong1, Liu Shizhang2   

  1. 1Xi’an Medical College, Xi’an 710021, Shaanxi Province, China; 2Department of Orthopedics, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an 710068, Shaanxi Province, China
  • Received:2022-04-01 Accepted:2022-05-11 Online:2023-07-28 Published:2022-11-26
  • Contact: Liu Shizhang, MD, Master’s supervisor, Chief physician, Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an 710068, Shaanxi Province, China
  • About author:Shen Yong, Master candidate, Xi’an Medical College, Xi’an 710021, Shaanxi Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the Key Research & Development Project of Shaanxi Province, No. 2018ZDXM-ZF-057 (to LSZ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: As the main materials of orthopedic implants, titanium and its alloys, widely used in many medical fields including orthopedics, have also increased with the wide application of implant-related infections. Different preparation methods are used to add excellent and clear antibacterial metal copper into them, which does not affect the biomechanical properties. Simultaneously, it has a certain antibacterial ability.
OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress and development trend of antibacterial properties of medical titanium alloys with copper.
METHODS: Relevant articles published from January 2003 to March 2022 were searched by computer on PubMed and Web of Science databases using the search terms “titanium alloy, copper, antibacterial, surface modification, coating”. Totally 76 articles selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed and discussed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In vitro and in vivo antibacterial experiments of titanium alloys with copper showed good antibacterial properties, and with the increase of copper content, the antibacterial properties became more obvious. (2) There are still many problems to be solved: exploring and optimizing the content and methods of adding copper. Appropriate preparation process to balance the antibacterial properties, biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the alloy requires further experiments; whether the micro-damage on the surface of the alloy by the surface modification will adversely affect the alloy; the control of the release rate of copper ions and how to avoid the sudden release of copper ions in large quantities in the early stage.

Key words: titanium alloy, copper, internal implant, bacterial biofilm, biocompatibility, surface modification, coatings

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