Scientists from the Institute of Chemistry of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Far Eastern Federal University, the Pacific State Medical University and the Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have developed a new way to create materials for biologically compatible prostheses. This was reported by Progress in Natural Science: Materials International. This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation.
Russian scientists have set themselves the task of developing affordable biomaterials for the industrial production of medical prostheses, primarily bone implants. As a raw material, they used common cheap natural materials that are safe for humans - synthetic powders and ceramics based on calcium silicate and its biologically active composites.
- Clinical trials of implants from obtained biomaterials
- © Evgeny Papynov
Individually, these materials are already used in various fields of surgery. Pistons - to deal with small maxillofacial defects, with bone growth and dental prosthetics. Ceramics are used in larger operations - when replacing a whole bone or joint.
“The usual prosthesis of calcium silicate, which will be inert in the body, is quite simple to obtain. And in order to make it biologically active, it is necessary to apply special technologies, including new and poorly studied ones, ”says Yevgeny Papynov, head of the laboratory, laboratory of composite and ceramic functional materials at the Institute of Chemistry of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Vladivostok).
The authors of the studies just found a way to make ceramics and calcium silicate powder active when introduced into the body, but at the same time maintain the necessary structure and strength.
For the synthesis of the powder, sol-gel technology was used - it involves the conversion of the initial solution into a powder of nanoparticles. This is a well-known technology in the world.
Further, ceramics were synthesized from powder and various biologically active additives. For this, the method of spark plasma sintering was used, which has so far been little studied.
The use and combination of new technologies provided implants made of synthetic materials with the necessary structure and strength, they can be set to the desired characteristics and properties, the developers say.
In addition, the materials turned out to be not only harmless, but also fully compatible with a living organism - bone tissue cells and blood vessels grow inside the porous structure of the prosthesis. In addition, they have a positive effect on metabolism.
“We get a biologically active nanostructured powder with a given composition. And if necessary, we turn it into dense ceramics of the desired size and profile, ”explains Yevgeny Papynov.
Compatibility of materials with the body and an affordable method for their synthesis are the main advantages of the development, scientists say. Exceptional biocompatibility of prostheses makes them available to patients of any age. The developers also note that with the addition of gold and silver nanoparticles, the implants acquire antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Scientists are confident that in the near future their implants can go into industrial production, and will also be in demand in the field of personalized medicine.