GENTAMICIN SULFATE ATTACHMENT AND RELEASE FROM ANODIZED TI-6AL-4V ORTHOPEDIC MATERIALS

A novel method has been developed to attach, retain, and release antib iotics from titanium based materials. This technique consists of formi ng porous surface coatings by anodizing and using the surface chemical properties of the oxide coatings to attach antibiotics. Coatings with pores in the size range 0.1-0.5 mum have been formed in acid solution s. The attachment and retainment of gentamicin sulfate, a cationic ant ibiotic, to the coatings has been investigated using microbiological m ethods. In vitro test results have shown that the duration of antimicr obial activity on the surface of anodized materials is dependent on th e porosity and isoelectric point of the coatings. Using microporous ox ide coatings formed in phosphoric acid solutions, it has been found th at antimicrobial activity could be retained for more than 2 weeks.