Preparation and bioactive characteristics of a porous 13-93 glass, and fabrication into the articulating surface of a proximal tibia

The silicate-based 4555 bioactive glass, typically in particulate form, has been widely investigated for bone repair. However, its application as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering is limited due to the difficulty of forming porous three-dimensional constructs with complex shapes. In this study, the use of another silicate-based bioactive glass referred to as 13-93, was investigated for the preparation of porous constructs. Particles of 13-93 glass (255-325 mu m) were consolidated and sintered to form cylindrical constructs. Characterization of these constructs was performed using mercury porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical testing. Constructs with porosities of 40-45% and pore sizes in the range 100-300 mu m were found to have a compressive strength of 22 +/- 1 MPa. The bioactivity of the 13-93 glass was studied by immersing disks in a simulated body fluid at 37 C and characterizing the reaction products. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and SEM showed the formation of a crystalline hydroxyapatite layer on the glass surface after similar to 7 days. The ability to fabricate the complex geometrical shape of the articulating surface of a human tibia from 13-93 glass particles was demonstrated. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.