Methods of depositing silver nanostructures on to implant surfaces

Abstract

Methods of depositing nanoparticles onto a substrate (e.g., an implant) are provided, as are the resulting substrates (e.g., implants) formed by such deposition methods. The nanoparticles can be silver nanoparticles that provide antimicrobial or antibacterial properties to the substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dental implant comprising:
 a body including an external surface positioned to contact a jawbone of a patient when the dental implant is implanted, a majority of the external surface being coated with silver nanoparticles, wherein the silver nanoparticles are configured to provide antimicrobial properties to the dental implant.   
     
     
         2 . The dental implant of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are between 0.1 nm and 100 nm in at least one dimension, inclusive. 
     
     
         3 . The dental implant of  claim 1 , wherein substantially all of the external surface is coated with the silver nanoparticles. 
     
     
         4 . The dental implant of  claim 3 , wherein substantially all exposed surfaces of the dental implant are coated with the silver nanoparticles. 
     
     
         5 . The dental implant of  claim 1 , wherein an amount by weight percentage of the silver nanoparticles is between 0.1 wt % and 25.0 wt %, inclusive. 
     
     
         6 . The dental implant of  claim 1 , wherein the silver nanoparticles have broad spectrum antimicrobial properties against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and a low microorganism resistance probability. 
     
     
         7 . A method of depositing nanoparticles on a dental implant comprising:
 preparing an electrolyte solution comprising an aqueous solution having silver nitrate (AgNO 3 );   positioning the dental implant within the electrolyte solution; and   applying an electric current to the electrolyte solution for a duration of time, thereby causing deposition of silver nanoparticles on a surface of the dental implant, the silver nanoparticles providing antimicrobial properties to the dental implant.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the aqueous solution has a concentration of between about 0.01 mM to about 50 mM, inclusive, AgNO 3 . 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising preparing the electrolyte solution so that the aqueous solution additionally has NaNO 3 . 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the aqueous solution has a concentration of between about 0.1 mM to about 1000 mM, inclusive, NaNO 3 . 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising maintaining a temperature of the electrolyte solution at anywhere between about 18-30° C. during the deposition step. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising stirring the aqueous solution at a rate of anywhere between about 100-1000 RPM prior to the deposition step. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising placing the dental implant through an ultrasonication process to remove nanoparticles over a certain size threshold from the surface of the dental implant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising controlling one or more of the following deposition parameters to control the size, quantity, and/or deposition location of silver nanoparticles on the surface of the dental implant: (i) deposition time, (ii) electrolyte solution temperature, (iii) the amount of electric current applied to the electrolyte solution, (iv) AgNO 3  concentration, and (v) NaNO 3  concentration. 
     
     
         15 . A method implanting a dental implant comprising:
 forming a bore in a jaw of a patient; and   implanting the dental implant into the bore at an implantation location, the dental implant including a coating of silver nanoparticles on a surface of the dental implant, the silver nanoparticles being configured to dissolve over time and provide an antimicrobial effect within the patient at the implantation location.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the silver nanoparticles have broad spectrum antimicrobial properties against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and a low microorganism resistance probability. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a majority of the dental implant is coated with the silver nanoparticles. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an amount by weight percentage of the silver nanoparticles is between 0.1 wt % and 25.0 wt %, inclusive. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the nanoparticles are between 0.1 nm and 100 nm in at least one dimension, inclusive. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coating of silver nanoparticles on the surface of the dental implant includes coating substantially all of the external surface with the silver nanoparticles.