On October 26, 2025, at the 3rd National Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, the “Structurally and Functionally Integrated Coating” project—developed jointly by Jilin University and a team of orthopedic experts—gained significant attention. This technology can more than double the service life of artificial joint prostheses, providing crucial support for the upgrading of orthopedic implant devices.
Led by orthopedic surgeon Li Ruiyan and materials expert Zhang Kan, the team has independently developed an integrated physical vapor deposition system to address clinical challenges such as rapid wear of artificial joint prostheses and the release of metal ions. The team has mastered a core technology that integrates “equipment—process—coating” into a single, cohesive system. The ultra-wear-resistant lubricating coating they have developed features precise nano-scale design, reducing the wear rate by two orders of magnitude while simultaneously resolving the issue of metal ion release. Additionally, the accompanying osseointegration coating enables strong bonding between bone and the prosthesis within just two months, significantly enhancing stability.
Currently, the project has been granted 11 invention patents, has completed animal experiments to validate its efficacy, and has established a mass-production platform that meets medical standards. The project is now in the pilot-scale testing phase. In the early stages, the project received over 8 million yuan in national funding and is planned to complete registration and enter the market within three years. This technology can be applied to all categories of orthopedic implants, including artificial joints and spinal implants, and holds the potential to break international monopolies and boost the upgrade of domestically produced high-end medical devices.