Multifunctional-Dual Drug Delivery Poly-Lactic Acid Biocomposite Coating with Hydroxyapatite for Bone Implants

The new novel implant designs include the functionality of advanced drug delivery systems in order to improve osteointegration and to inhibit the implant-related post-operative infections. In this research, Ti6Al4V metallic implants were coated with the multifunctional-dual slow drug delivery coating which includes a polymeric matrix system based on a poly-lactic acid thin film and bioactive ceramic hydroxyapatite. This system consists of two different kinds of pharmaceuticals, which are gentamicin and simvastatin. It is reported in this paper that the simvastatin and gentamicin containing poly-lactic acid coating which was applied uniformly and successfully with and without hydroxyapatite microspheres. Most importantly, the release rate of drugs was controlled with poly-lactic acid matrix and hydroxyapatite microspheres which have different dissolution rates in order to prevent the high dosages causing adverse side-effects of drugs