Porous hydroxyapatite-gelatin composites with functions of bone substitutes and drug releasing agents: A preliminary study

Biomedical composites made of porous hydroxyapatite (HA) bonded with a biodegradable polymeric matrix gelatin have been prepared. This device is expected to be useful as an excellent bone graft with bioactive hydroxyapatite which will facilitate new bone formation and at the same time it could functions as drug delivery with a controlled release rate. In this preliminary report, we wish to present preparation and physical characterization of the biomedical composite and the non-biodegradable porous hydroxyapatite composing the matrix of the composite. Porous hydroxyapatite was prepared via polymeric sponge method using hydroxyapatite nanopowders which were prepared via sol-gel procedure. Suspensions of the sol-gel derived hydroxyapatite powder was prepared with an adjusted loading of hydroxyapatite, using a dispersant. After soaking cellulosic sponges into the suspension, the sponges were dried and then subjected to heat-treatment at 600 degrees C, followed by sintering at 1250 degrees C for 1h. Three types of porous hydroxyapatite samples have been prepared in various composition of hydroxyapatite suspension. Porous hydroxyapatite bodies produced from slurry with less hydroxyapatite powder content and more dispersant amount yielded higher porosity and thus causing weaker compressive strength. Compressive strengths varied between 0.67 and 1.94 MPa depending on the porosity of the sample. Porosity plays important role in gelatin loading; the amount of gelatin coated on the porous hydroxyapatite bodies depend on porosity and the gelatin concentration in water solution. The higher porosity the more gelatin can be absorbed by the porous body.