Novel Microcarrier beads

摘要

A microcarrier bead made from apatite characterised by one or more of the following: (a) micro-metre sized; (b) regular porous structure; (c) rough surface; (d) substantially spherical; (e) osteo-conductivity; (f) chemical similarity to the mineral phase of bone; and (g) high thermal stability. Preferably the apatite is selected from: hydroxyapatite, silicon-substituted apatite, silver-substituted apatite, magnesium-substituted apatite and a stoichiometric apatite which is a synthetic apatite with a Ca/P atomic ratio that approaches 1.67. Preferably the apatite is phase-pure and the beads are between 100-800µm diameter. A method for making microcarrier beads is outlined comprising (a) mixing apatite and alginate in a solution and allowing them to disperse to form a suspension; (b) extruding the suspension dropwise through a droplet device; (c) exposing the extruded droplets to a calcium chloride solution and dispersing the same; (e) hardening the beads in a solution of alcohol; (f) drying the beads; and (g) sintering the beads to burn off the alginate. Preferably the apatite microcarrier beads have attached thereto or grown thereon at least one cell, selected from stem cells, progenitor cells or induced pluripotent stem cells, or a tissue type. Preferably the beads are for use in the repair of craniomaxillofacial defects, wrist fracture, spinal fusion procedures and periodontal defects.