In situ bone-like apatite formation from a Bioeutectic® ceramic in SBF dynamic flow

In a previous study, a new ceramic material (Bioeutectic((R))), prepared by slow solidification through the eutectic temperature-composition region of the wollastonite-tricalcium phosphate system, was found to be bioactive in static-simulated body fluid. The eutectic material reacts by dissolving the pseudowollastonite phase and forming a hydroxyapatite-like porous structure by a pseudomorphic transformation of the tricalcium phosphate lamellae, which in turn mimics porous bone. Later, a hydroxyapatite-like layer is formed by precipitation on the surface of the material. In the present study, the bioactivity of the Bioeutectic((R)) material was assessed in dynamic simulated body fluid in order to improve the ingrowth of new bone into implants (osteointegration). Samples of the material were soaked for 2 weeks in a dynamic simulated body fluid (1 mL/min) at 37 degrees C. The experiment showed that there is no precipitation of hydroxyapatite-like layer on the surface of a the material. Otherwise, a complete transformation of the eutectic material takes place, giving rise to a hydroxyapatite artificial porous bone. The dynamic model used in this study may be better than the usual static immersion model in imitating the physiological condition of bone-like apatite formation.