Modifying Brushite Cement Degradation Using Calcium Alginate Beads
The hydrolysis of brushite in calcium phosphate cements to form hydroxyapatite is known to result in the long term stability of the material in the body. It has previously been established that this hydrolysis reaction can be influenced by implant volume, media refreshment rate and media composition. In this study, the effect of macroporosity on the rate of degradation of the material is investigated. Macroporosity was incorporated into the material using calcium alginate beads mixed into the cement paste. The inclusion of the calcium alginate beads did not influence the degree of conversion of the material and allowed the incorporation of porosity at up to maximum of 57%. The macroporosity weakened the cement matrix (from 46.5 to 3.2 MPa). When aged the brushite in the macroporous cement dissolved completely from the matrix resulting in a weight loss of 60wt% in a period of 28 days. This suggests that the controlled incorporation of calcium alginate beads into brushite cements in vivo can be used to control implant degradation rate.