Korean researchers at Soonchunhyang University developed a new method of creating artificial osteal material that more closely resembles hard cortical tissue found on the outside of bones. The technique involved sponge replica and electrospinning to produce material with osteon structure of the cortical bone. According to investigators, the polymer material has high cytocompatibility properties.
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Bundles of polymer-based biomaterials were wrapped around 0.3mm diameter steel wires by the method of “electrospinning”, whereby fine fibres of material are drawn out by electric charge. These bundles were used to cover a scaffold of cancellous bone structure, made by the standard “sponge replica method” out of zirconia (ZrO2) and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). Removal of the steel wires resulted in interconnected structures mimicking small human bones.
The resulting structure had a high strength and a porosity of approximately 70%—similar to natural bone. Tests confirmed the artificial bone structure had a high degree of biocompatibility which is critical for real-world applications. However, more research is needed to evaluate the biological properties of this material both in vitro and in vivo.
Abstract in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Novel approach to the fabrication of an artificial small bone using a combination of sponge replica and electrospinning methods
Press release: New technique makes artificial bones more natural …
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