Bone Growth Scaffold

摘要

A composite comprises an inorganic filler such as calcium metaphosphate, a polymer formed from a hydrogel monomer and a multifunctional comonomer. Preferably, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and pyromellitic glycerol dimethacrylate are utilised as the hydrogel monomer and a multifunctional comonomer respectively. In another aspect, a composite comprises a metastable inorganic filler and a polymer formed from a hydrogel monomer. A composition for preparing the composite, a method of forming the composite, a synthetic bone graft comprising the composite and the composite for use in surgery, therapy or diagnosis are all claimed. The composites can be produced with a controllably variable mineral content either prefabricated or by in vivo assembly upon delivery of an injectable slurry. Other claimed aspects include the use of a metastable inorganic filler as an inorganic filler in synthetic bone substitute materials and the use of a multifunctional comonomer in polymeric synthetic bone substitute materials.