Natural calcium phosphate ceramics for tissue engineering application

• Main Author: Walsh, Pamela Judith
• Published: Queen's University Belfast 2008
• Subjects: 617.4
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.486236

There is a great need for new bone graft materials. Bone related problems have increased considerably over the last few decades, owing to an ageing populate and the associated prevalence of bone disease. The traditional method of grafting to bridge bone defects are still widely used, despite a wide selection of new synthetic alternatives materials becoming available. These tend to lack the physical properties, such as porosity, interconnective and mechanical strength required for bone repair. Coral derived CaP ceramics have shown good potential, as substitute materials, offering the desirable physiochemical characteristics required for bone repair. This study investigated the development of a bioceramic from marine origins for use in bone tissue applications. Algae species were specifically selected to take account of their fast growth rate and aquaculture potential, which would minimise the environmental impact of harvesting. The conversion of alga was achieved through a novel technique, involving well controlled thermal processing followed by low pressure temperature hydrothermal synthesis technique. Using this technique, the original skeletal morphology of the alga was retained throughout processing. The resultant material was found to be a tri-phasic ceramic, with a > 90% composition of HA. Calcite and 13-TCP were the other two phases identified in the material. Cell studies confirmed the material to have good biocompatibility. A preliminary scaffold fabrication study incorporated the CaP material into a polymeric scaffold. The study found that the CaP material was robust and capable of withstanding rigorous processing. The work presented in this thesis indicates that this novel process is capable of synthesising a reproducible CaP material, which possesses suitable physiochemical properties for use in bone tissue engineering applications.