Bioceramic And Biopolymer Nanocomposite Materials For Use In Orthopedic Applications

Abstract Biodegradable polymers have been used extensively in medical devices for many years. The advent of tissue engineering has necessitated the development of scaffolds made from biodegradable polymers with varying properties for use in different in vivo conditions. Typically, scaffold or device properties have been modified largely by changing the polymer, altering its structure (such as increasing porosity) or the scaffold fabrication technique. Recently, the effects of bioceramic addition to polymers on material bioactivity, degradation rates and device mechanical performance in physiological conditions have attracted increasing attention. Important composite design parameters include the type of ceramic used, ceramic and polymer loading ratios, ceramic particle size and distribution and polymer-ceramic bonding characteristics. Much evidence attests to the biological enhancement of material properties due to nanometer-sized particulate addition to biopolymers. However, empirical data and material modeling suggest that nanoparticles might result in negligible improvements or be detrimental to composite degradation kinetics and mechanical property enhancement. This article reviews the current developmental state of these materials, both empirical data and modeling attempts to predict and optimize device design and future development directions.