The structure of the bond between bone and porous silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite bioceramic implants

  1. Alexandra E. Porter1,*,
  2. Tom Buckland2,
  3. Karin Hing3,
  4. Serena M. Best4,
  5. William Bonfield4

Article first published online: 4 APR 2006

DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.30690

Issue

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A

Volume 78A, Issue 1, pages 25–33, July 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Porter, A. E., Buckland, T., Hing, K., Best, S. M. and Bonfield, W. (2006), The structure of the bond between bone and porous silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite bioceramic implants. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 78A: 25–33. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.30690

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Engineering, The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, 11 JJ Thompson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 OFF, UK

  2. 2

    ApaTech Ltd, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK

  3. 3

    IRC in Biomedical Materials, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK

  4. 4

    Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK

*Department of Engineering, The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, 11 JJ Thompson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 OFF, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 MAY 2006
  2. Article first published online: 4 APR 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 5 DEC 2005
  4. Manuscript Revised: 23 NOV 2005
  5. Manuscript Received: 1 AUG 2005

Funded by

  • ApaTech™, London, UK

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Keywords:

  • electron microscopy;
  • interconnected porosity;
  • silicon;
  • hydroxyapatite;
  • TEM

Abstract

The significance of micrometer-sized strut porosity in promoting bone ingrowth into porous hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds has only recently been noted. In this study, silicon-substituted HA (0.8 wt % Si-HA) with approximately 8.5% of the total porosity present as microporosity within the struts of the implant was prepared for high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) via both ultramicrotomy and focused ion beam milling. Between the struts of the porous Si-HA, pores with varying shapes and sizes (1–10 μm in diameter) were characterized. Within the struts, the Si-HA contained features such as grain boundaries and triple-junction grain boundaries. Bone ingrowth and dissolution from a Si-HA implant were studied using HR-TEM after 6 weeks in vivo. Minor local dissolution occurred within several pores within the struts. Organized, mineralized collagen fibrils had grown into the strut porosity at the interface between the porous Si-HA implant and the surface of the surrounding bone. In comparison, deeper within the implant, disorganized and poorly mineralized fibers were observed within the strut porosity. These findings provide valuable insight into the development of bone around porous Si-HA implants. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006

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