Anodized Titanium Devices and Related Methods

Abstract

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, devices that include a film of antimicrobial titanium oxide. This film may be anatase phase and may be of sufficient thickness to confer a visually perceptible color on the devices. The devices may be implants, supports, or even fasteners. Also provided are methods of fabricating such devices, as well as kits that feature the disclosed devices.

1 . A medical device, comprising:
 a substrate comprising titanium and a titanium oxide film surmounting at least a portion of the titanium,   at least a portion of the titanium oxide film being anatase phase, and   the titanium oxide film being of such a thickness so as to impart a visually perceptible color to the medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises essentially pure titanium. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a titanium alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a core underlying the substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the core comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the titanium oxide film is characterized as anodized. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the titanium oxide film is in the range of from about 20 nm to about 500 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is configured as an implant, a needle, a catheter, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the medical device is configured as an implant. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the film comprises more than about 95% anatase titanium oxide. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises an admixture of a polymer and titanium. 
     
     
         12 . A method of processing a medical device, comprising:
 contacting a substrate material comprising titanium with an electrolyte;   anodizing the substrate material so as to give rise to film of titanium oxide surmounting at least a portion of the substrate material   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the electrolyte comprises an acid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the acid is between about 0.5 M to about 7.0 M. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the acid comprises sulfuric acid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the titanium oxide film has a thickness in the range of from about 20 nm to about 500 nm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising exposing the film to illumination having a wavelength in the range of between about 350 nm to about 380 nm. 
     
     
         18 . A kit, comprising:
 first and second devices, each of the devices having at least one surface that is at least partially surmounted by a film of titanium oxide, that is at least partially anatase in phase and that confers a visually perceptible color on the devices, and   the first and second devices differing in at least one other physical characteristic.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second devices differ in visually perceptible color. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a source of light being operable to emit light of a wavelength and intensity sufficient to cause the titanium dioxide to exhibit a biocidal effect upon irradiation with light from the light source. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a removable package that is essentially transparent to ultraviolet light, the first, second, or both devices being disposed within the removable package. 
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the light comprises a wavelength of between about 350 nm and about 380 nm.