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Supercritical carbon dioxide processed resorbable polymer nanocomposite bone graft substitutes
Kevin C Baker1, Mihai Manitiu, Robert Bellair
1Department of Orthopaedic Research, William Beaumont Hospital Research Institute, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA.
Acta Biomaterialia
|June 7, 2011
Summary
Supercritical carbon dioxide processing created novel synthetic bone grafts. These polylactic acid/cloisite clay nanocomposites offer enhanced strength and biocompatibility for load-bearing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Autogenous bone harvesting and allogenic bone supply present challenges for bone grafting.
- Porous resorbable polymers lack sufficient load-bearing capacity for hard tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a load-bearing synthetic bone graft substitute using supercritical carbon dioxide processing.
- To create a resorbable polymer nanocomposite with enhanced mechanical properties and biocompatibility.
Main Methods:
- Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) processing was employed to create porous polylactic acid (PLA)/cloisite clay nanocomposite constructs.
- Mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and cellular infiltration of the nanocomposite constructs were evaluated.
Main Results:
- scCO(2) processed PLA/cloisite nanocomposites showed a 2.5-fold increase in compressive strength compared to pure PLA.
- The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were comparable to human cancellous bone.
- Constructs demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and supported osteoblast infiltration and calcium phosphate deposition.
Conclusions:
- Supercritical carbon dioxide processing is a viable method for creating load-bearing, porous, resorbable bone graft substitutes.
- The developed nanocomposite material shows significant potential for hard tissue engineering applications.
- The porous structure facilitates cellular infiltration and neovascularization, crucial for in vivo bone regeneration.
