Scientists of the Far Eastern Federal University have developed a technology to create a new ceramic biomaterial for regenerative bone surgery, the press service of the university reports.
"In medicine, there is an urgent need of improving medical materials for regeneration of human bone tissues. One of the most important properties of bioceramics that is used as implants, is a well-developed porous structure of high structural endurane. This provides an effective osteointegration (depth of bone tissue's extension into the implant), and reduces the risk o excessive bone destruction. Compliance with these conditions is extremely challenging for traditional synthesis methods, which requires advanced research and innovative approaches", - the main research performer, Oleg Shichalin from the Department of Materials Science & Technology o the Far Eastern Federal University points out.
The scientists suggest that they synthesize porous ceramics based on synthetic wollastonite (the silicates group) and a special materials-mixing technology. What makes this approach unique is using two kinds of pore-forming additives, which are introdued at different stages of the material's combined synthesis. This ensures the formation of a porous silica frame of high structural integrity, whereas the input of additional components makes it compatible with bioorganic medium.
This approach makes it possible to create new, earlier unexplored bioactive ceramic materials, and a synthetic bone matrix with the structure and properties similar to those o the natural bone. The resulting material is high-end "bioceramics" and meets all the requirements of modern medicine.
The press service of the university adds that the research results have been published in the prestigious international scientific journal Royal Society of Chemistry.