Key Engineering Materials Vols. 396-398

Abstract: Growth of cells in three-dimensional porous scaffolds has gaining importance in the field of tissue engineering. The scaffolds guide cellular growth, synthesize extra-cellular matrix and other biological molecules, and make the formation of tissues and functional organs easier. The aim of this work was to use α-TCP (α-tricalcium phosphate) cement in order to obtain such scaffolds, with the aid of paraffin spheres as pores generators. These spheres were produced by suspension in an aqueous solution of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and sodium sulphate (Na2SO4). The porosity of the scaffolds produced with paraffin spheres was analyzed and compared to the literature, and the study of scaffolds permeability using Forchenheimer equation allowed the analysis of pores interconnectivity. In vitro tests showed the behavior of scaffolds in solutions of SBF (Simulated Body Fluid), and viability and cell proliferation were also evaluated. Use of paraffin spheres showed to be appropriate to the formation of pores suitable size to allow cellular growth.

Abstract: Bioactive glass/polymer hybrids are promising materials for biomedical applications because they combine the bioactivity of these bioceramics with the flexibility of polymers. In previous work hybrid foams with 50% bioactive glass and 50% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared by the sol-gel process for application as scaffold for bone tissue engineering. In this work the hybrid samples were tested in osteoblast culture to evaluate adhesion and proliferation. Samples were also implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal region of adult rats. The hybrid 50% PVA/bioactive glass foam was chosen as the best scaffold in the composition range studied and it is a promising material for bone repair, providing a good environment for the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro. Concerning the in vivo studies we can assure that the “foreing body” reaction was moderate and that the presence of osteoid indicated bone matrix formation.

Abstract: Semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotics are the most important class of antibacterial agents. Their use in veterinary and human medicine is in continuous expansion. Calcium phosphate bioceramics have been used in medicine and dentistry for nearly 30 years. Calcium phosphate ceramics (CPC) are nowadays being widely used as drug delivery systems because of their desirable properties such as biocompatibility, bioresorbability, controlled release etc. In recent years In this work, kinetic models to describe ampicillin adsorption from CPC were investigated. Calcium phosphate bioceramic are analogous to the mineral component of bones, its properties make it suitable for implant materials and delivery agents of drugs

Abstract: The objective of this study was to manufacture porous scaffolds with bioinert and bioactive materials to join mechanical properties and bony integration. Porous alumina ceramic matrices were produced using the slurry technique followed by isostatic pressing, leaching and sintering. Porous alumina samples presented 75.0vol% porosity and 52.27MPa of compressive strength. Bioglass/hydroxyapatite ceramic slurry was used as coating on alumina matrices. The infiltration was performed by dipping the alumina porous samples into bio-glass/hydroxyapatite ceramics slurry under vacuum and followed by sintering. The evaluation of the alumina ceramic scaffolds samples were made using EDX, mechanical and in vitro tests. For the in vitro tests, fibroblastic VERO cell line was employed. The porous alumina ceramic coated acquired a higher strength and more pronounced cell interaction than the non coated alumina scaffolds.

Abstract: In the present work, apatite powders were synthesized at pH 10, pH 11 and pH 12 in order to give rise to biphasic and triphasic bioceramics after sintering. A modified gelcasting process, including polyethylene wax spheres addition to the suspension, is proposed in comparison to the original gelcasting method. The aim of the addition is the creation of uniform, open and interconnected pores in the body of samples.

Abstract: There is a constant need for bone substitutes. This work was focused on evaluating morphological characteristics of new bioceramic three-dimensional scaffold for bone tissue engineering based on Portland cement with air-voids introduced by outgassing reaction product from lime and aluminum powder. Pores morphology was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bulk density, apparent density, and apparent porosity were measured by Archimedes method. Water absorption by total immersion and by capillarity was also investigated. The results have indicated that cement based scaffolds exhibit a hierarchical structure with interconnected macropores and a micropores framework that indicate potential use of the developed porous materials as bone substitutes.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of starting powder granulometry and sintering conditions on the morphological structure and mechanical properties of injectable hydroxyapaptite (HAp) microspheres. The mechanical properties of the microspheres were evaluated, to investigate if their integrity could be maintained during the injection process. To obtain microspheres, HAp powders were dispersed in a sodium alginate solution and spherical particles were prepared by droplet extrusion under a co-axial air stream, coupled with ionotropic gelation in the presence of Ca2+. This was followed by a sintering process at various temperatures and times. The morphology of microspheres was observed under SEM, diameter measurements were performed in an optical microscope and the compression strength was evaluated using a texture analyzer. Finally, microspheres prepared using lower granulometry HAp powders and sintered at 1200 °C for 1 hour presented the best properties and were selected as the most suitable for the envisaged application.

Abstract: This research work deals with the development of free-standing hydroxyapatite (HA) components produced using the Atmospheric Plasma Spraying Process. The spray parameters were based on the optimal values found in previous work for the HA powder used. The deposition time used to produce the free-standing coupons was varied between 70 and 150 seconds. The influence of spray time on the deposit thickness and the resulting crystallinity of the coupons were investigated. The surface of the samples was characterised by means of SEM and surface roughness was measured using a laser profiler. The crystallinity of the samples was analysed using XRD. The phase content of the coupons was investigated using XRD and Raman Spectroscopy. The crystallinity and thickness of the coupons was found to increase with increasing spray time. A maximum crystallinity of 89% and maximum average thickness of 2.45 mm were obtained.

Abstract: Ceramic scaffolds, mechanically qualified, highly porous, non biodegradable and with bioactive coating have been manufactured. The aim of this study was evaluated mechanical and in vivo responses of the porous alumina scaffolds with bioactive coating. The bioactive coating was performed under vacuum with bio-glass (45S5®)) and hydroxyapatite (HAp). Alumina ceramics (Al2O3) are used for bone implants in function of the biocompatibility and the high mechanical reliability of this material. Unfavourably alumina is a bioinert material and bone ingrowths are hard to occur and any implant anchorage becomes difficult. To improve this, ceramic scaffold samples were made with porosity concentration around 75vol% and with average pores diameters around 190.0µm. They were mechanically characterized through macro and micro structural analyses and mechanical tests and biologically through cell culture tests with fibroblastic VERO cell line for cytotoxicity and animal experiments on tibiae rats – Rattus norvegiicus albinos – aiming histological and line scan analysis in order to check the scaffold-bone cellular interaction. Current results seem to suggest the promising properties of the bioactive coated alumina ceramic scaffolds tested. The concentration of 75vol% alumina showed to be the great alternative for an economical solution for porous alumina ceramic scaffolds related to the mechanical properties and bone integration.

Abstract: This study aimed to develop porous hydroxyapatite scaffold for bone regeneration using the replica of the polymeric sponge technique. Polyurethane sponges were used with varying densities to obtain the scaffolds. The results indicate the porous HA scaffolds developed in this study as potential materials for application as bone substitutes to have high porosity (> 70%), chemical composition, interconnectivity and pore sizes appropriate to the bone regeneration.