The Korean Society of Surface Science and Engineering

We conducted experiments to control the hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties by adjusting line and grid patterns on the surface of medical bone fixation plates using a femtosecond laser. Basic experiments were conducted using pure titanium and titanium alloy (6% alumina, 4% vanadium). The spacing of the line and grid patterns was adjusted, and surface properties were confirmed using contact angle measurement equipment. We demonstrated the feasibility of controlling hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties through the patterns of lines and grids. Based on the results of the basic experiments, surface treatment was applied to medical bone fixation plates currently used in clinical practice. Through laser processing, we confirmed a contact angle of approximately 9.18° for hydrophilicity and approximately 101.07° for hydrophobicity. We confirmed that easy control of hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties is achievable using laser processing technology and anticipate its application in various medical component fields.

Keywords Medical bone fixation plate; Hydrophobic; Hydrophilic; Surface treatment; Femtosecond laser