Bioactive And Degradable Ceramic/Polymer Composites For Hard Tissue Regeneration With Delivering Drug

摘要

For hard tissue regeneration, bioactive ceramics (calcium phosphates (CaP) and glasses) and biodegradable polymers (PLA, PGA, PCL and their copolymers) have found specific applications. These ceramics and polymers have also been combined to composites/hybrids for improved biocompatibility [1]. Compared to biopolymers, which are flexible and moldable, the ceramics are brittle, so their applications were limited to non-loading parts and small sized granules. However, their hydrophilicity and bioactivity is beneficial for the cell responses. The mechanical properties of the composites can also be modulated similar to hard tissues. Here we produced biological composites consisting of bioactive ceramics and biodegradable polymers to improve the biocompatibility. Specifically, fluoridated-apatites (FHA) and phosphate-glasses (P-glas) were integrated with polycaprolactone (PCL), and their feasibility for the hard tissue applications was addressed. An emphasis was put on the variation of ceramic characteristics and their effects on the biological properties of the composites.