Preparation and preliminary in vivo studies of resorbable polymer modified with allogenic bone chips for guided bone regeneration and orthopedic implants

Composites made of resorbable polylactide modified with bone powder are part of the current search for implantable materials endowed with advantageous biomechanical functions, which make them suitable for orthopedics and traumatology applications. The bone additive containing active bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and calcium phosphates introduced into the polymer matrix is to grant the implant with a biological activity. Subsequently, the resorbable matrix should get replaced with bone tissue. In order to avoid losing the osteoinductive properties of the designed material, it should be processed at low temperatures via physicochemical methods. This paper is devoted to the preparation and optimization of the composite production method suitable for biodegradable polymers and morphogenetic proteins along with the assessment of biocompatibility and biological properties of obtained materials. The tape-casting method was successfully applied. Resorbable polymer (medical poly-L-lactide, Purasorb PL38 by Purac) with 15 wt% of human bone powder (from tissue bank) were used to fabricate PLA-CP/BMPs composite implants. They were tested in in vivo studies that were performed in rabbit bone tissues. The results show a high biocompatibility of the material and good osteointegration with bone tissue.