Characterization of an α-Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrates/α-Tricalcium Phosphate Combined Injectable Bone Cement

The artificial bone-repair materials have received extensive attention. In this study, we have prepared new α-calcium sulfate hemihydrates (α-CSH) and gelatin modified α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) combined injectable bone cement (α-CSH/α-TCP bone cement). The solidification, mechanical behavior, in vitro biocompatibility and degradation were studied and a spine bone trabecular defect model in swine vertebral body was constructed to evaluate its in vivo performance. The results demonstrated that the bone cement has the appropriate in vitro initial setting time of 6-10 min and final setting time within 20 min, excellent mechanical properties up to 35 M Pa in compressive strength, no in vitro cytotoxicity and appropriate in vivo biodegradation with good bone regeneration ability as the radiological and histological examination showed. Therefore, the α-CSH/α-TCP bone cement has broad application prospects in minimally invasive surgery for the bone defects treatment.