Processing and properties of injectable porous apatitic cements

Injectable Calcium Phosphate Cements (CPC) are the emerging class of bone substitute materials as they can be moulded and shaped to fill intricate bone cavities and narrow dental sites. Various amounts of hydroxyapatite (HA) were mixed with tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) using sodium hydrogen phosphate as the liquid medium. The formulations have a setting time of 15-30 min. These cements with setting time around 20 min, which is also clinically preferred, were found to have better wash out resistance. The X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis confirmed HA as the setting phase. Gelatin has been incorporated to the selected formulations to induce porosity in the above selected cements. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals a macroporous structure as also confirmed by BET measurements. Injectability of the cement is being evaluated using chitosan.