title: Investigating the Effects of Surface-Initiated Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone to Bioactive Glass Particles on the Mechanical Properties of Settable Polymer/Ceramic Composites.
abstract: Injectable bone grafts with strength exceeding that of trabecular bone could improve the management of a number of orthopaedic conditions. Ceramic/polymer composites have been investigated as weight-bearing bone grafts, but they are typically weaker than trabecular bone due to poor interfacial bonding. We hypothesized that entrapment of surface-initiated poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) chains on 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) particles within anin situ-formed polymer network would enhance the mechanical properties of reactive BG/polymer composites. When the surface-initiated PCL molecular weight exceeded the molecular weight between crosslinks of the network, the compressive strength of the composites increased 6- to 10-fold. The torsional strength of the composites exceeded that of human trabecular bone by a factor of two. When injected into femoral condyle defects in rats, the composites supported new bone formation at 8 weeks. The initial bone-like strength of BG/polymer composites and their ability to remodelin vivohighlight their potential for development as injectable grafts for repair of weight-bearing bone defects.
authors: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 ; Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232.
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Harmata
authors: Orthopaedic Task Area, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, TX 78234.
authors: Catherine L
authors: CL
authors: Ward
authors: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235.
authors: Katarzyna J
authors: KJ
authors: Zienkiewicz
authors: Orthopaedic Task Area, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, TX 78234.
authors: Joseph C
authors: JC
authors: Wenke
authors: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 ; Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235.
authors: Scott A
authors: SA
authors: Guelcher
keywords: composite; polymer; surface chemistry