Mineralization kinetics of various implanted bioceramics

Proton induced X-ray emission was used for a multi-element analysis of three biomaterials implanted in ovine thighbone: one tri-tricalcic phosphate and two calcium carbonates with different percentages of porosity. The proton PIXE analysis method allowed the simultaneous quantification of several elements to get profiles of concentrations versus implantation delay. We focused on calcium and phosphorous which were major elements of the bony matrix and strontium, a trace element characteristic of the mineralization of the implants. Concentrations of calcium (constitutive of CaCO3 and TCP) and phosphorous (constitutive of TCP) were known and differed from the bony matrix concentrations. The analysis of each sample for various times after implantation (1, 3, 6 and 12 months) by PIXE permitted to observe the evolution of the concentration of Ca, P and Sr in the implant area and at the interface implant/bone and to compare the different biomaterials implanted. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.