Synthesis and characterization of bioactive glass microspheres for application in bone repair

Abstract

Failures and defects in bone tissues culminate in cases of pseudoarthrosis or osteomyelitis whose treatment occurs through a surgical procedure aimed at the mechanical removal of the affected tissues, followed by the application of bone grafts. Although bioactive glasses have become very promising materials for this application, they do not present uniform particles in shape and size. Ideal systems for grafts should consist of microspheres with space for effective and functional bone regeneration since they allow internal bone growth and vascularization, together with properties suitable for bone regeneration such as bioactivity. In this context, this work aims at the synthesis and characterization of bioactive glass particles by the sol-gel process, varying the phosphorus source and using base addition to optimize the reaction time and the production and characterization of bioactive microspheres by means of the extrusion method.