Biomimetic coating technology for orthopedic implants

Biomimetic coating process is one of the most versatile techniques developed for coating various orthopedic implant surfaces. The surface of an orthopedic implant, whether it is biodegradable or non-biodegradable, needs to be bioactive for osseointegration (direct bonding with bone). The above mentioned coating technique is employed to deposit a bone-like apatite (calcium phosphate) on the implant surfaces, so that the implants become more bioactive, resulting in osseointegration. Simulated body fluids (SBFs) play a critical role in this method. This short review describes and critiques the progresses made in this field by focusing on: Firstly, the compositional aspects of various SBFs; secondly, the strategies to enhance the coating kinetics; and finally, examples of coating various types of surfaces of implants fabricated from polymers and metals, both biodegradable and non-biodegradable in nature.