Papers by Author: Gérard Dechambre

Abstract: Apatite/β−TCP particles exhibiting non-conventional urchin-like morphology were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. Their implantation in the rat calvarium was followed during 60 days. A total absence of osteoconduction was observed despite a favorable chemical composition, stressing the fundamental role of particle morphology on bone regeneration. Results are discussed in relation with other literature data. Possible explanations include the disfavored accumulation of biological mediators due to the acicular shape of the particles and/or a limited accessibility for cells.

Abstract: Calcium phosphates (Ca-P) are major constituents of calcified tissues, and are also extensively used for the elaboration of biomaterials. However, the usual high-temperature sintering processes generally lead to strong alterations of their chemical, physical and biological properties. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a non-conventional sintering technique based on the use of pulsed current, enabling fast heating and cooling rates, and lower sintering temperatures are often observed. The sintering of several orthophosphates (DCPD, amorphous TCP, beta-TCP, OCP, HA and biomimetic nanocrystalline apatites) by SPS was investigated in order to track potential advantages of this technique over usual Ca-P sintering methods. Special attention was given to the SPS consolidation of highly bioactive nanocrystalline apatites.

Abstract: The feasibility of calcium carbonate-based cements involving the re-crystallization of metastable calcium carbonate varieties has been demonstrated. Two cement compositions were obtained by mixing either calcium carbonate phases (cement A) or a calcium carbonate and a calcium phosphate phase (cement B) with an aqueous media. These cements set and hardened after 30 minutes and 90 minutes respectively. The final composition of cement A was calcite and aragonite whereas cement B lead to a carbonated apatite analogous to bone mineral. Despite poor mechanical properties the presence of a high carbonate content in the final phase might be of interest to increase the cement resorption rate and to favour its replacement by bone tissue. First assays of implantation performed on fresh anatomical pieces (fresh cadavers) at 37°C revealed important advantages of such cement compositions: easiness of use, rapid setting, good adhesion to bone, very good homogeneity and stability of the cement.