Effect of process variables on the preparation of artificial bone cements

Abstract

-The present work concerns the preparation of bone cements based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), used mainly for prosthesis fixation and cavity filling for correction of human bone failures. A typical bone cement recipe contains methyl methacrylate, which polymerizes in situ during cement application. An inherent problem of this reaction is the large amount of heat released during the cement preparation, which may lead to irreparable damage of living tissues. Optimization of PMMA-based bone cement recipes is thus an important step towards safe and reliable clinical usage of these materials. Important process variables related to the reaction temperature profile and the mixing of the recipe constituents were studied in order to allow for the adequate production of bone cements. It is shown that the average molar mass and size of the PMMA particles used in the production of the bone cement, as well as incorporation of radiopaque contrast, co-monomers and fillers into the bone recipe play fundamental roles in the course of the polymerization reaction. Furthermore, the injection vessel geometry may interfere dramatically with the temperature profile and the time for its occurrence. Finally, it has been observed that the morphology of the PMMA particles strongly affects the mixing of the bone cement components.

Effect of Physiological Fluids Contamination on Selected Mechanical Properties of Acrylate Bone Cement

“…The term “bone cement” refers to artificial bone materials based on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or other acrylate-based polymers [1,2,3]. The scope of medical applications of cement materials primarily involves fixing endoprostheses in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA).…”

Influence of the Bone Cements Processing on the Mechanical Properties in Cranioplasty

“…Specific procedures are described by PMMA bone cement manufacturers, but sometimes, in practice, given uncontrollable factors as operating room and patient temperature or even the cement thickness, the prescribed times might be altered: either delayed or sped up, depending on the situation [26].…”