Ultrastructural study of an apatite layer formed by a biomimetic process and its bonding to bone

Biomaterials. 1996 Jan;17(1):47-51. doi: 10.1016/0142-9612(96)80754-x.

Abstract

A dense and uniform apatite layer about 20 microns thick was formed on a poly(ether sulphone) (PESF) substrate treated with glow discharge in O2 gas by a biomimetic process. The apatite-polymer composite obtained was implanted into a rabbit tibia and the structure of the PESF-apatite-bone interface was observed under a scanning and a transmission electron microscope 8 weeks after implantation. The apatite layer formed by the biomimetic process was confirmed to consist of small crystals of apatite with a structure similar to that of apatite in bone. The apatite layer remained on the substrate in the body, and bonded to the apatite in bone directly. This type of apatite-organic polymer composite expected to be useful as bone-repairing material.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apatites / chemistry*
  • Apatites / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Crystallization
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Oxygen
  • Partial Pressure
  • Polymers / metabolism*
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Rabbits
  • Sulfones / metabolism*
  • Tibia / metabolism
  • Tibia / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Apatites
  • Polymers
  • Sulfones
  • polyether sulfone
  • Oxygen