Newly Unsintered Bone Graft Substitutes with Controlled Porosity

Abstract

A new porous unsintered CaP-compound material for bone graft substitutes is described. A modified sol-gel freeze casting process enables preparation of sophisticated shaped bodies. By adapted chill molds and the variation of the freeze process the porosity of the material can be engineered, i.e. the pore size distribution as well as the preferred direction of the oblong pores. Thereby controlled osteoconduction can be achieved. The mechanical properties of the CaP compounds are improved by embedding supporting structures. Due to its huge inner surface the material can serve as a scaffold supplied with agents.