45S5 Bioglass®-derived glass–ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Three-dimensional (3D), highly porous, mechanically competent, bioactive and biodegradable scaffolds have been fabricated for the first time by the replication technique using 45S5 Bioglass® powder. Under an optimum sintering condition (1000 °C/1 h), nearly full densification of the foam struts occurred and fine crystals of Na2Ca2Si3O9 formed, which conferred the scaffolds the highest possible compressive and flexural strength for this foam structure. Important findings are that the mechanically strong crystalline phase Na2Ca2Si3O9 can transform into an amorphous calcium phosphate phase after immersion in simulated body fluid for 28 days, and that the transformation kinetics can be tailored through controlling the crystallinity of the sintered 45S5 Bioglass®. Therefore, the goal of an ideal scaffold that provides good mechanical support temporarily while maintaining bioactivity, and that can biodegrade at later stages at a tailorable rate is achievable with the developed Bioglass®-based scaffolds.