Development of three dimensional carbonate apatite foam with tunnel-like porous structure for bone substitute

Program: Collaborative Research Program for Alumni (CRA)

Field: Materials Engineering

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh Tram

Sending University: Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT)

Japanese Co-Investigator: Prof. Dr. Kunio ISHIKAWA

Japanese University: Kyushu University

Year: 2015

Abstract:

We have established a processing method to fabricate three – dimensional porous carbonate apatite (CO3Ap) with interconnected porous structure and improved mechanical strength. Briefly, porous CO3Ap materials were produced via phosphorization of porous calcite precursor in hydrothermal condition. In order to make porous calcite precursor, negative replication of modified polyurethane foam template was conducted. It is expected that the osteoconductive and bioresorbable bone substitute material with reasonable mechanical strength and desirable interconnected pore characteristics could be obtained. After this research, a strong collaboration between Biomaterials Department of Kyushu university and Silicate Department of Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology could be established. After join research, students have motivation to study abroad to learn more about biomaterials. This is one of the first step to introduce useful artificial bone substitute materials to Vietnamese research and so far it is expected that product with reasonable price can be fabricated and be suitable with the income of Vietnamese patients.