Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
The body implant interaction is strongly affected by the implant surface structure and chemistry [1,2]. Thus by applying a nanoporous coating to metallic implants the implant surface can be adjusted to different needs. Compared to biological molecules the size of the pores is so small (between 5 nm and 250 nm) that the cellular response to this surface modification is not affected by the structure itself. Nevertheless by loading the pores with bioactive molecules it is possible to achieve a new kind of active implants surfaces for soft and hard tissue implants. With this coating it is possible to irreversibly bind radioactive isotopes like 99mTc, 186/188Re, 103Pd, and many more for local radiotherapy onto soft tissue implants like stents or seeds.