Innovative High-Pressure Fabrication Processes for Porous Biomaterials—A Review

Abstract

Biomaterials and their clinical application have become well known in recent years and progress in their manufacturing processes are essential steps in their technological advancement. Great advances have been made in the field of biomaterials, including ceramics, glasses, polymers, composites, glass-ceramics and metal alloys. Dense and porous ceramics have been widely used for various biomedical applications. Current applications of bioceramics include bone grafts, spinal fusion, bone repairs, bone fillers, maxillofacial reconstruction, etc. One of the common impediments in the bioceramics and metallic porous implants for biomedical applications are their lack of mechanical strength. High-pressure processing can be a viable solution in obtaining porous biomaterials. Many properties such as mechanical properties, non-toxicity, surface modification, degradation rate, biocompatibility, corrosion rate and scaffold design are taken into consideration. The current review focuses on different manufacturing processes used for bioceramics, polymers and metals and their alloys in porous forms. Recent advances in the manufacturing technologies of porous ceramics by freeze isostatic pressure and hydrothermal processing are discussed in detail. Pressure as a parameter can be helpful in obtaining porous forms for biomaterials with increased mechanical strength.

Three-Dimensional Plotted Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds for Bone Defect Augmentation—A New Method for Regeneration

“…Another advantage might be the possibility to adjust the pore size of the scaffold material. The pore has a crucial impact on cell migration into the scaffold and proliferation [ 3 , 7 ]. By varying the pore size, an increased cell migration and proliferation and, thus, a faster bone ingrowth into the scaffold might be possible.…”

“…Thus, the scaffold’s structure would be replaced by new bone. Furthermore, porosity and pore size are crucial parameters influencing the attachment, differentiation and proliferation of cells [ 3 , 7 ]. Ideally, an increased porosity of the material enables cell proliferation via interconnective pores.…”

“…Ideally, an increased porosity of the material enables cell proliferation via interconnective pores. On the other hand, a higher pore size or porosity decreases the mechanical resistance [ 3 , 7 ]. Furthermore, the strand orientation and tortuosity of the pore channels might influence the mechanical stability and permeability [ 8 , 9 ].…”