Bioactive and reabsorbable calcium phosphate microspheres for drug delivery

Abstract

The number of patients that need biomedical implantations to substitute injured or damage bones is increasing because of the longer life expectancy, the number of obese people and to sedentary lifestyle, all of this is causing illnesses as osteoporosis. In order to develop materials able to attenuate these problems, the calcium phosphates (CaP), are interesting since they are biocompatible and bioactive. These materials have been used as dense blocks, scaffolds and granules. The last one presents irregular forms and sizes, but they had an increase in their applicability because of their higher rate of "in vivo" resorption. However, when used to deliver cells and / or drugs it is extremely essential to control the form and size. Therefore, becomes logical to develop CaP microspheres capable of treating diseases or induce new bone tissue growth. In this context, the objective of this project is to develop microspheres of calcium phosphate cement based on water-oil emulsification and spray-drying. The setting reaction of the cement will be responsible for the consolidation of microspheres removing the need for heat treatments at high temperatures. The methodologies proposed will develop national technology and, consequently, reduce the cost of the biomaterials used on the repair of bone defects.