• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.625-630
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• 2008

In the bone cement composed of dense granules of $\beta-Ca_3(PO_4){_2}(\beta-TCP)$ and $Ca(H_2PO_4){_2}H_2O$, the compressive strength, setting time and temperature rise were measured to observe the degradation of cement with respect to the stored days before setting. Decreases of compressive strength and temperature rise were observed, while setting time increased with respect to the stored days. The similar trends were repeated with the increase of temperature of storage. Such a change virtually meant the fading of the character of cement and it took place only when the two starting materials were mixed during storage. The degradation could be mitigated taking advantage of granular $\beta$-TCP instead of powdery one. The formation of $CaHPO_4$, which resulted from reaction with ambient humidity, was attributed to the degradation observed during storage. Dependence of the degradation behavior on mixing and temperature during storage was discussed in terms of the driving force for reaction of cement.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.590-596
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• 2018

To improve the injection behavior of brushite cement, dense ${\beta}-Ca_3(PO_4)_2$ (${\beta}-TCP$) granules were added to the starting material. The spherical ${\beta}-TCP$ granules prepared by spray-drying and subsequent sintering at $1000{\sim}1200^{\circ}C$ accounted for fractions of from 0.5 to 0.7 of the total ${\beta}-TCP$. The injection behavior was evaluated by measuring the injected mass divided by the loaded mass of paste in the syringe pump. The injected amount was increased with the increase in the fraction and sintering temperature of ${\beta}-TCP$ granules, except at $1200^{\circ}C$. The increase in the fraction of ${\beta}-TCP$ and its sintering temperature resulted in a decrease in the plastic limit, which is the volume of water required to liquefy the compact. The rest water could be utilized in the cement with the reduced plastic limit for improved injectability. The amounts of rest water assigned for powdery phase were estimated, and correlated with the injectability of paste.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.618-624
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• 2008

Various calcium phosphate bioceramics are distinguished by their excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Especially, the exceptional biodegradability of $\beta$-TCP makes it a bone graft substitute of choice in many clinical applications. The activation of osteoclasts, differentiated from macrophage precursor cells, trigger a cell-mediated resorption mechanism that renders $\beta$-TCP biodegradable. Based on this evidence, we studied the biodegradation process of granular-type $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute through in vitro and in vivo studies. Raw 264.7 cells treated with RANKL and M-CSF differentiated into osteoclasts with macrophage-like properties, as observed with TRAP stain. These osteoclasts were cultured with $\beta$-TCP nano powders synthesized by microwave-assisted process. We confirmed the phagocytosis of osteoclasts by observing $\beta$-TCP particles in their phagosomes via electron microscopy. No damage to the osteoclasts during phagocytosis was observed, nor did the $\beta$-TCP powders show any sign of cytotoxicity. We also observed the histological changes in subcutaneous tissues of rats implanted with granule-type $\beta$-TCP synthesized by fibrous monolithic process. The $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute was well surrounded with fibrous tissue, and 4 months after implantation, 60% of its mass had been biodegraded. Also, histological findings via H&E stain showed a higher level of infiltration of lymphocytes as well as macrophages around the granule-type $\beta$-TCP. From the results, we have concluded that macrophages play an important role in the biodegradation process of $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitutes.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.468-476
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• 2020

The bone cement used for vertebroplasty must be sufficiently injectable. The introduction of granules reduces the amount of liquid required for liquefaction, implying that higher fluidity is achieved with the same amount of liquid. By employing β-tricalcium phosphate granules with an average diameter of 50 ㎛, changes in injectability are observed based on the paste preparation route and granular fraction. To obtain acceptable injectability, phase separation must be suppressed during injection, and sufficient capillary pressure to combine powder and liquid must work evenly throughout the paste. To achieve this, the granules should be evenly distributed. Reduced injection rates are observed for dry mixing and excessive granular content, owing to phase separation. All these correspond to conditions under which the clustered granules weakened the capillary pressure. The injected ratio of the paste formed by wet mixing displayed an inverted U-type shift with the granular fraction. The mixture of granules and powder resulted in an increase in the solid volume fraction, and a decrease in the liquid limit. This resulted in the enhancement of the liquidity, owing to the added liquid. It is inferred that the addition of granules improves the injectability, provided that the capillary pressure in the paste is maintained.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.8 no.9
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• pp.865-870
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• 1998

The surfaces of titanium specimens were modified by immersion in calcium phosphate buffered solutions (pH 5.8, 7.0, 8.0) for 10 days and simulated body fluid(SBF) for 30 days by turns. The modified surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffractometery(XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer(FT-IR), and compared with specimen immersed in only SBF. The results indicated that the immersion in calcium phosphate buffered solutions accelerated the formation of the surface films. The formed layer showed granular shaped microstructure, and recognized as calcium phosphate such as a hydroxyapatite(HA) or a $\beta$-tri-calcium phosphate($\beta$-TCP). The thickness of the layer increased of the buffered solutions in order of pH 8.0, 7.0 and 5.8 and the density increased in order of pH 7.0, 8.0 and 5.8.