Bioabsorbable polymer plates coated with bioactive glass spheres

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Bioabsorbable polymers like poly(L/DL)lactide (P(L/DL)LA) are used in bone fixation devices.
• Enhancing the osteoconductivity of these implants is crucial for improved bone healing.
• Bioactive glasses show promise for promoting bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop bioabsorbable P(L/DL)LA plates with enhanced osteoconductive bioactivity.
• To investigate the feasibility of integrating bioactive glass spheres onto a polymer plate preform.
• To evaluate the in vitro bioactivity of the resulting composite material.

Main Methods:

• Spheres of bioactive glass 13-93 (125-250 microm) were pressed onto a P(L/DL)LA 70:30 plate preform.
• Appropriate pressing parameters were optimized for firm attachment of glass spheres.
• The bioactivity of the composite plates was assessed in vitro by immersion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).

Main Results:

• Bioactive glass spheres were successfully and firmly attached to the P(L/DL)LA plate preform.
• The tops of the glass spheres remained exposed after the pressing process.
• Apatite precipitation was observed on both the exposed glass sphere surfaces and the entire polymer surface within three days of PBS immersion.

Conclusions:

• The developed composite material, combining P(L/DL)LA plates with bioactive glass 13-93 spheres, exhibits promising in vitro bioactivity.
• The rapid apatite formation suggests osteoconductive properties, making it a potential candidate for bone regeneration scaffolds.
• This approach offers a method for creating functionalized bioabsorbable implants.