Development of a composite of hydroxylapatite and chitosan as a bone graft substitute

Abstract

Composites of water soluble chitosan and hydroxylspatite (HA) in the paste form were studied for the use as a synthetic bone graft material. HA powder was added to 5% aqueous solution of chitosan in different HA to chitosan ratios. Different techniques were developed to measure the viscosity, setting time, compressive moduli, and push out resistance through cadaver bone holes of the HA-chitosan pastes. An optimum formulation was selected based on the results of these measurements. A system was developed to deliver the pastes to the focal defects in the bone by modifying an arthroscopic syringe.