• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2019

Calcium phosphate bone cement was prepared to contain antibiotics for release after setting using granulated ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA). Gentamicin sulfate (GS) solution was infiltrated within the interconnected pores of the granule to avoid affecting the setting reaction and for protection of GS during the setting. Consequently, the setting time and the temperature increase were not affected, regardless of the loading of GS. The release of the GS from the cement was estimated by measuring the concentration at regular intervals from the cement dipped solution. The ${\beta}$-TCP granule loaded with GS exhibited the saturation of accumulative concentration at 16 h. In contrast, the HA granule with GS exhibited steady increase in accumulative concentration of over $10{\mu}g/ml$ at 144 h. Thus, the granulated cement could release the GS greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration of staphylococcus during the prescription peroid of the oral antibiotics.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.618-624
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• 2008

Various calcium phosphate bioceramics are distinguished by their excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Especially, the exceptional biodegradability of $\beta$-TCP makes it a bone graft substitute of choice in many clinical applications. The activation of osteoclasts, differentiated from macrophage precursor cells, trigger a cell-mediated resorption mechanism that renders $\beta$-TCP biodegradable. Based on this evidence, we studied the biodegradation process of granular-type $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute through in vitro and in vivo studies. Raw 264.7 cells treated with RANKL and M-CSF differentiated into osteoclasts with macrophage-like properties, as observed with TRAP stain. These osteoclasts were cultured with $\beta$-TCP nano powders synthesized by microwave-assisted process. We confirmed the phagocytosis of osteoclasts by observing $\beta$-TCP particles in their phagosomes via electron microscopy. No damage to the osteoclasts during phagocytosis was observed, nor did the $\beta$-TCP powders show any sign of cytotoxicity. We also observed the histological changes in subcutaneous tissues of rats implanted with granule-type $\beta$-TCP synthesized by fibrous monolithic process. The $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute was well surrounded with fibrous tissue, and 4 months after implantation, 60% of its mass had been biodegraded. Also, histological findings via H&E stain showed a higher level of infiltration of lymphocytes as well as macrophages around the granule-type $\beta$-TCP. From the results, we have concluded that macrophages play an important role in the biodegradation process of $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitutes.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.590-596
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• 2018

To improve the injection behavior of brushite cement, dense ${\beta}-Ca_3(PO_4)_2$ (${\beta}-TCP$) granules were added to the starting material. The spherical ${\beta}-TCP$ granules prepared by spray-drying and subsequent sintering at $1000{\sim}1200^{\circ}C$ accounted for fractions of from 0.5 to 0.7 of the total ${\beta}-TCP$. The injection behavior was evaluated by measuring the injected mass divided by the loaded mass of paste in the syringe pump. The injected amount was increased with the increase in the fraction and sintering temperature of ${\beta}-TCP$ granules, except at $1200^{\circ}C$. The increase in the fraction of ${\beta}-TCP$ and its sintering temperature resulted in a decrease in the plastic limit, which is the volume of water required to liquefy the compact. The rest water could be utilized in the cement with the reduced plastic limit for improved injectability. The amounts of rest water assigned for powdery phase were estimated, and correlated with the injectability of paste.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.468-476
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• 2020

The bone cement used for vertebroplasty must be sufficiently injectable. The introduction of granules reduces the amount of liquid required for liquefaction, implying that higher fluidity is achieved with the same amount of liquid. By employing β-tricalcium phosphate granules with an average diameter of 50 ㎛, changes in injectability are observed based on the paste preparation route and granular fraction. To obtain acceptable injectability, phase separation must be suppressed during injection, and sufficient capillary pressure to combine powder and liquid must work evenly throughout the paste. To achieve this, the granules should be evenly distributed. Reduced injection rates are observed for dry mixing and excessive granular content, owing to phase separation. All these correspond to conditions under which the clustered granules weakened the capillary pressure. The injected ratio of the paste formed by wet mixing displayed an inverted U-type shift with the granular fraction. The mixture of granules and powder resulted in an increase in the solid volume fraction, and a decrease in the liquid limit. This resulted in the enhancement of the liquidity, owing to the added liquid. It is inferred that the addition of granules improves the injectability, provided that the capillary pressure in the paste is maintained.