title: Novel Method for Loading Microporous Ceramics Bone Grafts by Using a Directional Flow.
abstract: The aim of this study was the development of a process for filling the pores of a β-tricalcium phosphate ceramic with interconnected porosity with an alginate hydrogel. For filling of the ceramics, solutions of alginate hydrogel precursors with suitable viscosity were chosen as determined by rheometry. For loading of the porous ceramics with the gel the samples were placed at the flow chamber and sealed with silicone seals. By using a vacuum induced directional flow, the samples were loaded with alginate solutions. The loading success was controlled by ESEM and fluorescence imaging using a fluorescent dye (FITC) for staining of the gel. After loading of the pores, the alginate is transformed into a hydrogel through crosslinking with CaCl₂ solution. The biocompatibility of the obtained composite material was tested with a live dead cell staining by using MG-63 Cells. The loading procedure via vacuum assisted directional flow allowed complete filling of the pores of the ceramics within a few minutes (10 ± 3 min) while loading through simple immersion into the polymer solution or through a conventional vacuum method only gave incomplete filling.
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgery, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Hugstetter str. 55, Freiburg D-79106, Germany. michael.seidenstuecker@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seidenstuecker
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgery, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Hugstetter str. 55, Freiburg D-79106, Germany. steffenkissling@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kissling
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces, Department of Microsystems Engineering-IMTEK, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, Freiburg D-79110, Germany. ruehe@imtek.uni-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruehe
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgery, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Hugstetter str. 55, Freiburg D-79106, Germany. norbert.suedkamp@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Norbert P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Suedkamp
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgery, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Hugstetter str. 55, Freiburg D-79106, Germany. hermann.mayr@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Hermann O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.affiliation: Center for Surgery, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Hugstetter str. 55, Freiburg D-79106, Germany. anke.bernstein@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernstein
keywords: alginate; flow-chamber; hydrogel; porous ceramic; β-tricalcium phosphate