LAUSR

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.