Novel Method for Loading Microporous Ceramics Bone Grafts by Using a Directional Flow

Michael Seidenstuecker,Anke Bernstein,Steffen Kissling,Hermann Mayr,Norbert Suedkamp,Juergen Ruehe

doi:10.3390/jfb6041085

Michael Seidenstuecker, Anke Bernstein + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb6041085

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Abstract

The aim of this study was the development of a process for filling the pores of a β-tricalcium phosphate ceramic with interconnected porosity with an alginate hydrogel. For filling of the ceramics, solutions of alginate hydrogel precursors with suitable viscosity were chosen as determined by rheometry. For loading of the porous ceramics with the gel the samples were placed at the flow chamber and sealed with silicone seals. By using a vacuum induced directional flow, the samples were loaded with alginate solutions. The loading success was controlled by ESEM and fluorescence imaging using a fluorescent dye (FITC) for staining of the gel. After loading of the pores, the alginate is transformed into a hydrogel through crosslinking with CaCl2 solution. The biocompatibility of the obtained composite material was tested with a live dead cell staining by using MG-63 Cells. The loading procedure via vacuum assisted directional flow allowed complete filling of the pores of the ceramics within a few minutes (10 ± 3 min) while loading through simple immersion into the polymer solution or through a conventional vacuum method only gave incomplete filling.

Highlights

Biomaterials are frequently used for a myriad of purposes in modern clinical practice and in orthopedics, functioning to replace, fix, and stabilize bone after breakage, to restore ligaments and tendons, and for arthroplasty and many other procedures
In this study we introduced a new method for loading of a porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramics designed for bone replacement with alginate hydrogel precursors by placing the sample into a vacuum and using a directional flow to fill the pores of the ceramics with the alginate solution
We could show that the loading of the microporous ceramics with a hydrogel precursor using a combination of air removal from the porous material and directional flow into the sample could be a good alternative to conventional methods such as simple immersion or vacuum assisted filling

Summary

Introduction

Biomaterials are frequently used for a myriad of purposes in modern clinical practice and in orthopedics, functioning to replace, fix, and stabilize bone after breakage, to restore ligaments and tendons, and for arthroplasty and many other procedures. The biological response of the body toward these materials resembles that of native bone during bone regeneration or remodeling. During such naturally occurring reconstruction the bioceramic is broken down and metabolized. Bioceramics can be generated synthetically through precipitation reactions or sintering processes and from natural sources, through either allogenic [7] or xenogenic [8] processes. They are currently successfully applied in orthopedic surgery and in dentistry for examples as bone fillers (cements) [9] or granulates [10].

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