Durable antibacterial coatings on Kirschner wires via redox-assisted co-deposition

The Kirschner wire (K-wire) is a versatile and effective external fixator in orthopedic surgery. However, a recognized challenge associated with the use of K-wires is the potential for bacterial migration and subsequent infection as the wire passes through the skin and penetrates the bone. In this study, we developed a straightforward method for depositing antibacterial ions on K-wires by redox-assisted co-deposition. This method offers several advantages over conventional coating techniques , including uniformity, high coverage, strong adhesion , and scalability. As a result, K-wires treated with this method have a rapid and long-lasting antimicrobial effect. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated that these antimicrobial K-wires have an excellent bacterial elimination . The results of this study provide new opportunities for the application of robust and multifunctional antibacterial coating materials on implantable devices with great potential in the fields of orthopedics, transplantation and surgery.