Papers by Keyword: Bone Substitute

Abstract: The composite of methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) and poly(lactic-co- glycolic acid) (PLGA) thermosensitive hydrogel mixed with different mass raio of hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were used as bone graft substitutes. The physical properties of a series of composite gels, including the critical micelle concentration (CMC), particle sizes, zeta potential, rheological behavior, morphology of composite gels, and sol–gel transition, were characterized in vitro. These composite gels could form a gel at body temperature and could be controlled easily at room temperature. During the in vitro degradation process, composite gels demonstrated a slight decrease in pH value, a slower degradation rate, less toxicity, and a higher cell survival rate. The biocompatibility of the composite gels was validated by hemolysis test. In vivo animal studies demonstrated both radiographic and gross bone union when the ratio of HAP/ β-TCP was 7:3.

Abstract: Carbonate apatite (CO₃Ap) foam with interconnecting porous structure is a potential candidate as bone substitute material owing to its similarity to the cancellous bone with respect to composition, morphology and osteoclastic degradation. However, it is brittle and difficult to handle. This is thought to be caused by no organic material in the CO₃Ap foam. The aim of this study is to reinforce the CO₃Ap foam with poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Immersion and vacuum infiltration methods were compared as reinforcing methods. Compressive strength of unreinforced CO₃Ap foam, (12.0 ± 4.9 kPa) increased after PLGA reinforcement by immersion (187.6 ± 57.6 kPa) or by vacuum infiltration (407 ± 111.4 kPa). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the preservation of full interconnecting porous structure of CO₃Ap foam after PLGA reinforcement using immersion or vacuum infiltration. Interface between the PLGA and CO₃Ap foam, however revealed that no gap was found between the PLGA and CO₃Ap foam interface when vacuum was used to reinforce the PLGA whereas a gap was found when simple immersion was used. Strong interface between PLGA and CO₃Ap foam is therefore thought to be the key for higher compressive strength. In conclusion, vacuum infiltration is a more efficient method to reinforce the CO₃Ap foam with PLGA for improving the mechanical strength without sacrificing the cancellous bone-type morphology.

Abstract: We recently synthesized a novel unidirectional porous hydroxyapatite (UDPHAp) material with a microstructure consisting of cross-sectional oval pores (diameter, 100-300 μm) . The unidirectional pores of UDPHAp are expected to facilitate the ingrowth of new tissues at sites of implantation. Here, we estimated the osteoinductive capacity of UDPHAp following its implantation in the dorsal muscles of dogs, and also investigated the affinity of UDPHAp for muscle and connective tissues. As a reference material, the HAp porous ceramic product Apaceram^® (HOYA, Tokyo, Japan), which is commercially available in Japan and has a different microstructure from UDPHAp, was also used. A cylinder-shaped UDPHAp block was implanted in the dorsal muscles of two beagle dogs. At 1 and 2 years post-implantation, muscle and connective tissues had directly attached to UDPHAp at the upper and lower perforated surfaces. Histological assessment, revealed the direct invasion of fibrous tissues and small capillaries into the unidirectional pores of UDPHAp. Notably, no osseous tissue had formed within UDPHAp. Our findings suggest that the unidirectional pores of UDPHAp are advantageous for the vascularization and invasion of fibrous tissues. However, this unique structure does not contribute to osteoinductive capacity.

Abstract: The present study reports the synthesis of βTCP foam with fully interconnecting pores based on phase transformation of αTCP foam precursor by employing heat treatment. First, the αTCP foam precursor was fabricated by sintering the ceramics slurry-coated polyurethane foam template at 1,500°C. The resultant αTCP foam was again heated below α,β transition temperature for an extended period of times. After heating at 800°C for 150 hours, 900°C for 100 hours and 1,000°C for 300 hours, βTCP foam was obtained. The compressive strength of βTCP foam was approximately 46 kPa and the porosity was approximately 93%. The long heating period as well as heating temperature were the key to the transformation of βTCP phase. βTCP foam could be an ideal bone replacement since the invasion of bone cells into the pores provides optimum bone growth or repair.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate cements have been widely used in medical and dental applications for decades. However, their intrinsic high brittleness and low strength prohibit their use in many stress-bearing locations, which would require an improvement in mechanical properties. The influence of microstructural parameters on the latter have nevertheless barely been investigated in a systematic manner. Furthermore, due to their inferior reproducibility which is sensitive to the variations introduced during the preparation and the way they are measured, mechanical properties of CPC cannot simply be characterized using mean values, but request a more reliable method. In this aim, apatite cements have been fabricated by mixing liquid and powders based on α-TCP (α-tricalcium phosphate), and their mechanical properties have been measured (Young’s modulus, fracture toughness, compressive strength and flexural strength) in wet environment as a function of various parameters (liquid-to-powder ratio; amount and morphology of porosity, including macropores created by porogens). The reliability of compressive strength of CPC is analysed using Weibull statistics. The above results indicate that fabrication and microstructural features of CPC significantly influence their mechanical properties.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteoconductive properties of synthetic porous hydroxyapatite prepared by low-temperature microwave processing OssaBase^® HA (SPHA) in comparison with biological apatite, non-sintered deproteinized bovine bone Bio-Oss^® (DBB). The materials were implanted into the bone sockets of the tibia of Beagle dogs for 3 and 6 months. The bone response to granules of the materials of similar sizes was compared. Histological analysis of the specimens with histomorphometry was performed at different times after in vivo implantation. Based on the histological analysis, the level of bone formation in the spaces between the implanted granules and through the interconnected pores of both implanted materials within a cortical region was significantly higher (bone area ingrowth 72–85%) than within a cancellous bone site (bone area ingrowth 16–28%) at three and six months after implantation. According to our study, the bioactive and osteoconductive properties (bone implant contact and bone area ingrown) of the synthetic porous hydroxyapatite are very high and comparable with the biological apatite, non-sintered deproteinized bovine bone. The favourable influence of the high specific surface area and carbonate content of the synthetic, porous hydroxyapatite on bone formation was confirmed.

Abstract: A novel gallium-doped -tricalcium phosphate (-TCP) ceramics with rhombohedral structure (R3c space group) can be obtained by the addition of a Ga precursor in the typical reaction protocols used for the preparation of -TCP. It was found, from the refinement of their XRD patterns, that the incorporation of Ga in the -TCP network occurs by substitution of one of the five calcium sites, while occupation of another Ca site decreases in inverse proportion to the gallium content in the structure. A decrease of the unit cell volume is observed with increasing gallium content, together with improved mechanical properties. Indeed, the compressive strength of these new bioceramics is enhanced in direct proportion of the Ga content, up to a 2.6-fold increase as compared to pure -TCP.

Abstract: The comparative investigation of a highly nanoporous bone grafting material (NanoBone S, NBS) and a sintered hydroxyapatite ceramic (Cerabone, CB) aimed to show the influence of the structure of the material on osteoinductivity.NBS consists of synthetic nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite embedded in a porous silica gel matrix. Its specific surface amounts 206 m²/g in contrast to CB with a specific surface of 0.4 m²/g.The biomaterials were implanted in the neck region of 18 sheep and left there for the periods of 6, 12 and 26 weeks. In each case granulate was implanted superficially into the trapezius muscle and into the subcutaneous adipose tissue respectively. The samples were analysed by micro-CT, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry. In the case of NBS ossicles had developed. An intensive remodelling process was verifiable. The bone formation in CB was marginal.As a basic phenomenon in NBS, the substitution of the original SiO₂ gel matrix by organic molecules forming an organic matrix around the embedded hydroxyapatite seams to be the key event causing these results.

Abstract: To improve the efficiency of osteogenic repair, we compared 3 types of round granular bone substitutes composed of hydroxyapatite (HA) in a single opened large pore covered by one or more thin shell structure, biphasic HA and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) in a compact granules with small uniform interconnected internal pores, and bioglass(BG) in a compact granules with hierarchical interconnected pores its bone repair efficiency by evaluation of cellular toxicity, cellular attachment and proliferation rate, and osteogenic supportive effect. They were nontoxic and revealed no noxious effect on cellular proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation. The cultured cells were most effectively proliferated on HA granular bone substitute surface. However, the bony repair of calvarial defects was most effective by BCP granular bone substitutes. The implanted BCP and HA granular bone substitutes showed excellent osteoconductive bone growth and favorable bone regeneration within 3 weeks compared to BG granular bone substitutes. All type granular bone substitutes were well incorporated into newly formed bone without foreign body reaction. Except for HA granular bone substitute, some implanted BG and BCP granular bone substitutes were partially resobed by TRAP positive multinucletated cells. These findings suggest that round granular biphasic calcium phosphate bone substitute structured with fully interconnected uniform sized internal pore might be a more promising bone substitute for small-sized none load-bearing bone defects.

Abstract: Various bone graft substitutes were used in clinical practise in the treatment of bone defects after trauma or osteoporosis. Many synthetic biomaterials were developed in recent years primarily based on hydroxyapatite (HA). NanoBone^® is a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) embedded in a porous matrix of silica (SiO₂). The ratio of HA:SiO₂ varied between 76:24 (wt%; NanoBone^®) and 61:39 (wt%; Nanobone^® S). The two bone substitutes NB and NB S and a natural bovine bone substitute Bio-Oss^® (BO) were evaluated by means of implantation in the tibia of the rat. The aim of this study was to analyze the remodelling process and to measure new bone formation and degradation after implantation of these biomaterials. A tibia defect model was used for all investigations with testing periods of 12, 21 and 84 days. (n=5 for each time point). The results showed, that all bone grafts were well accepted by the host tissue without inflammatory reactions. In comparison to the biomaterial BO, NanoBone^® and NanoBone^® S were quickly degraded, whereas autologous proteins were incorporated into nanopores. New bone formation was statistically higher in NanoBone^® S compared to Bio-Oss^® in defect area after 84 days implantation. The presence of osteoclasts in tissue sections were demonstrated by TRAP- and ED1-immunohistology.