Papers by Keyword: β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP)

Abstract: Bioactivity of biomaterials is recognized to be of importance and the behavior of nanosized HA and β-TCP particles is described and compared. The study focuses on the influence of the phase transformation and grain size on the reprecipitation of calcium phosphate and the effect of immersion time in SBF on the surface characteristics of the samples. The HA and β-TCP samples were fabricated by mixing the powders in a ball mill, drying, uniaxial pressing and sintering at 1150oC for 240 minute using fixed heating and cooling rates. The densified samples were then immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for controlled periods of time in order to investigate their bioactivities. Changes in the surface structure were examined to investigate and characterize phase formation and the chemical functionality of the samples.

Abstract: The infrared and Raman spectra of Na substituted β-TCP are presented for various levels of substitution. The influence of Na content on main vibrational modes appears significant and among them the ν1 symmetric stretching band is very sensitive to PO4 3- tetrahedrons environment. Thus, this mode was particularly investigated and has been decomposed using Lorentzian shapes components. We assigned the calculated components to the different types of PO4 3- tetrahedrons present in the crystalline structure.

Abstract: The present work suggests a modified gel casting process, including polyethylene wax spheres addition to the suspension with the objective of creating uniform and interconnected pores in the body of samples. In the present study, apatite powders were synthesized at pH 10 and pH 12 in order to give rise to biphasic and triphasic bioceramics after sintering.

Abstract: β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramic nanofibers via electrospinning route have been produced using β-TCP sol, which was prepared by the mixing of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and triethyl phosphate as Ca sand P precursors, respectively. The as-prepared sol was tightly caped and aged in a drying oven at 90 °C for 16 hrs. The aged sol was evaporated in opened containers at 35 °C to reach a proper value of viscosity (100 cPs). Viscous solution was prepared by the mixing of β-TCP sol and high-molecular weight PVP to obtain appropriate viscosity for electrospinning. The mixed solution of β-TCP and PVP with various ratios were vigorously mixed using hot plate/stirrer for 24 hrs and then electrospun. The as-electrospun β-TCP nanofibers were dried in a drying oven at 60°C for 12 hrs and then heat-treated at 500, 600, 700 and 800 °C at 1°C/min heating rate in air. Surface morphology and phase identification of as-spun and heat-treated β-TCP nanofibers were studied. The results have shown that ratio between PVP and β-TCP sol and heat-treatment conditions significantly affected the crystalline phase and morphology of β-TCP nanofibers.

Abstract: Poly-L-lactide/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLLA/β-TCP) porous scaffold fabricated by freeze shrinking/particulate leaching was studied. The scaffold was immersed into simulated body fluid (SBF) for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks and analyzed by the SEM, XRD and FT-IR spectroscopy. The ability of inducing Ca-P formation was compared among the scaffolds with different content of β- TCP. SEM shows a typical feature of apatite precipitation. Diffraction peak of new crystal structure was detected by x-ray diffraction (XRD). IR Spectrum in which absorption bands arise from newly formed groups of carbonate apatite can be seen. At the same testing point, higher density of Ca-P crystal can be observed by SEM in scaffold with high content of β-TCP than in low group. Until 3 weeks, Ca-P individual crystal started on the wall of inner pore of pure PLLA. Porous PLLA/β-TCP composite scaffolds also indicate good ability of Ca-P formation in vitro, the ability of which to form apatite was enhanced by addition of each other that has different degradable mechanism.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate ceramics (CPC) have been attractively used in different areas of biomedical applications, such as substances of artificial hard tissue replacement implants, drug delivery system due to their biocompatibility and bioactivity. In this work, three calcium phosphate powders between Ca/P molar ratio 1.50-1.67 were synthesized by aqueous precipitation method, using the mixture of Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and H3PO4 solutions to ammonia solution. During the precipitation reaction, Ca/P molar ratio was adjusted by controlling pH of the solution between 8.0 and 10.5 by the addition of ammonium hydroxide solution. All powders were treated at 800 oC for 2 hrs. The calcined powders were immersed in pH 7.4 distilled water at 37°C for 3 and 7 days. Decomposition and related dissolution with the various Ca/P ratios were investigated by XRD, FTIR, and TEM observation.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite derived from human teeth was sintered at 1200°C for 2 h. Dissolving behavior of the biologically derived HA (BHA) in distilled water was investigated and compared with an artificial hydroxyapatite (HA) made of synthetic HA powder. All disks were immersed in 40 ml of pH 7.4 distilled water (buffered using 0.05 M Tris.) for 7 and 14 days at 37°C. All detectable peaks in the HA are identical only to HA lattice planes, whereas BHA consisted of a mixture of HA and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP). In the case of the HA specimen, the surface dissolution was initiated at grain boundaries followed by generated many separated grains and large defect like cavities. On the other hand, biologically derived HA showed that definite grains considered as β-TCP was predominantly dissolved and the grains were separated from the matrix leaving pores. In the mean time, the rest region, mainly consisting of HA, did not show any evidence of dissolution. It seems that BHA is more stable than the artificial HA in liquid environment.

Abstract: Dissolution of calcium phosphate powders with different compositions in simulated body fluid was investigated. Hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) powders were synthesized by a precipitation method and by controlling pH of the solution. Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) powders were prepared by mixing the HA and β-TCP powders with ratio of 80:20 and 60:40 in weight % in a planetary mill for 4 h. For dissolution test, 0.5g of each β-TCP, HA and BCP powders were immersed in 50 ml of SBF at 37°C for 3-28 days. HA powders with stoichiometric composition showed no significant morphological change regardless of the immersion time. β-TCP powders were not dissolved in SBF in spite of its high solubility. The surface of BCP powders became rough due to dissolution with increasing immersion time. This surface dissolution gradually extended into the core region of the particles resulting in disintegration of the dense particle into fine crystallites. It may be caused that the milling process during preparation of BCP powders may induce stress concentration or formation of dislocation on the surface of particles.

Abstract: In bone tissue engineering, porous scaffolds served as the temporary matrix are often subjected to mechanical stress when implanted in the body. Based on this fact, the goal of this study was to examine the effects of mechanical loading on the in vitro degradation characteristics and kinetics of porous scaffolds in a custom-designed loading system. Porous Poly(L-lactic acid)/β-Tricalcium Phosphate (PLLA/β-TCP) composite scaffolds fabricated by using solution casting/compression molding/particulate leaching technique (SCP) were subjected to degradation in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37°C for up to 6 weeks under the conditions: with and without static compressive loading, respectively. The results indicated that the increase of the porosity and decrease of the compressive strength under static compressive loading were slower than that of non-loading case, and so did the mass loss rate. It might be due to that the loading retarded the penetration, absorption and transfer of simulated body fluid. These data provide an important step towards understanding mechanical loading factors contributing to degradation.

Abstract: Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a desirable and very attractive polymer for fabricating porous scaffolds. As of now, a solvent casting method with organic solvents has been used in scaffold fabrication process. However, residual organic solvents in the scaffolds have the problems of decreasing the effect of osteogenic induction due to the hindrance of bioceramic by polymer solution and it’s harmfulness in vivo. To avoid these disadvantages of scaffolds by organic solvent casting method, we developed a new method fabricating polymer (PLLA)/ceramic (β -TCP) composite scaffolds by baking method without using solvent, and then we tested properties of scaffolds on animals. As the result, non-toxicity has been proved through animal experiment and newly fabricated polymer/ceramic composites by a novel sintering method were induced rapid bone regeneration through enhancing the interaction of cells and a bone induction factor without any host immune response.