Composite cement embedded in a biopolymer matrix for bone tissue regeneration

Bone substitutes are biomaterials applied in surgical therapy to repair many cases of a damaged bone. More than two million bone surgeries using biomaterials are realised each year worldwide. In this line of research, the researchers of this project study developed a bioresorbable synthetic bone substitute designated by (beta-TCP/DCPD)-PHBV which is a mixture of the two materials: beta-TCP/DCPD and PHBV in a 60/40 weight fraction. This research study attempts to categorize the (beta-TCP/DCPD)-PHBV and evaluate its ability on triggering bone regeneration by making bone implants on 12 New Zealand white male rabbits. The RESEARCHERS performed multi-scale studies namely; a uniaxial compression test, an examination by scanning electron microscopy, and analysis with infrared spectroscopy in order to get the characteristics. The neoformed bone is examined by SEM coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). In addition to the salient mechanical benefits; attenuation of the modulus of elasticity and limitation of brittleness, the biomaterial has also proven to be effective in giving rise to new bone tissues having a suitable mineral composition.