Chapter 5 - 3D Scaffolds of Borate Glass and Their Drug Delivery Applications

Abstract

This chapter discusses the new advancements and progress in the use of biodegradable materials for bone repair purposes. The use of degradable and nondegradable materials for orthopedic and tissue healing is carefully discussed. Biomaterials used in regenerative medicine tend to be designed to become three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds in a position to support and promote the expansion and repair of natural cells. Some types of bioglasses have great capability as scaffold materials, as they can bond with the host tissues and activate them. This article discusses in detail the advancement of borate glass-based scaffolds for tissue engineering, specifically their features, limitations, and advantages. Borate glasses have the ability to react with physiological fluids to form hydroxyapatite (HA) layers. This layer, with a like structure to the mineral component of the bone, makes a firm bond between the tissues and the glass. Silicate and phosphate-based bioactive glasses are partially converted into HA due to their noncongruent dissolution. It was found in previous clinical studies that typical bioactive glass remains at the surgical site even after 14years of surgery. This work also looks into the potential of multifunctional systems for bone regeneration and their potential as drug carriers to combat chronic bone infections.