Timothy Luchini

In this study, we present results of our research on biodegradable monetite (DCPA, CaHPO4) cement with surface-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (mMWCNTs) as potential bone defect repair material. The cement pastes showed desirable handling properties and possessed a suitable setting time for use in surgical setting. The incorporation of mMWCNTs shortened the setting time of DCPA and increased the compressive strength of DCPA cement from 11.09 ± 1.85 MPa to 21.56 ± 2.47 MPa. The… Show more

In this study, we present results of our research on biodegradable monetite (DCPA, CaHPO4) cement with surface-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (mMWCNTs) as potential bone defect repair material. The cement pastes showed desirable handling properties and possessed a suitable setting time for use in surgical setting. The incorporation of mMWCNTs shortened the setting time of DCPA and increased the compressive strength of DCPA cement from 11.09 ± 1.85 MPa to 21.56 ± 2.47 MPa. The cytocompatibility of the materials was investigated in vitro using the preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1. An increase of cell numbers was observed on both DCPA and DCPA-mMWCNTs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results also revealed an obvious cell growth on the surface of the cements. Based on these results, DCPA-mMWCNTs composite cements can be considered as potential bone defect repair materials. Show less

In this article, we report the development of a biodegradable monetite [dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA), CaHPO4]/phosphorylated chitosan (p-chitosan) composite orthopedic cement. The cement pastes showed desirable handling properties, injectability, and washout resistance. The incorporation of p-chitosan powders at 5 wt % shortened the setting time of DCPA and significantly improved the mechanical performance of DCPA cement, increasing the compressive strength almost twice from 11.09 ±… Show more

In this article, we report the development of a biodegradable monetite [dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA), CaHPO4]/phosphorylated chitosan (p-chitosan) composite orthopedic cement. The cement pastes showed desirable handling properties, injectability, and washout resistance. The incorporation of p-chitosan powders at 5 wt % shortened the setting time of DCPA and significantly improved the mechanical performance of DCPA cement, increasing the compressive strength almost twice from 11.09 ± 1.85 MPa at 0% chitosan to 23.43 ± 1.47 MPa at 5 wt % p-chitosan. On the other hand, higher p-chitosan content or untreated chitosan incorporation lowered the performance of DCPA cements. The cytocompatibility of the composite cement was investigated in vitro using the preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1. An increase in cell proliferation was observed in both DCPA and DCPA–p-chitosan. The results show that both the materials are as cytocompatible as hydroxyapatite. Based on these results, DCPA–p-chitosan composite cement can be considered as potential bone repair material. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013. Show less

Magnesium phosphate (MgP) materials have been investigated in recent years for tissue engineering applications, attributed to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. This paper describes a novel microwave assisted approach to produce amorphous magnesium phosphate (AMP) in a nanospherical form from an aqueous solution containing Mg2+ and HPO4 2−/PO4 3−. Some synthesis parameters such as pH, Mg/P ratio, solution composition were studied and the mechanism of AMP precursors was also… Show more

Magnesium phosphate (MgP) materials have been investigated in recent years for tissue engineering applications, attributed to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. This paper describes a novel microwave assisted approach to produce amorphous magnesium phosphate (AMP) in a nanospherical form from an aqueous solution containing Mg2+ and HPO4 2−/PO4 3−. Some synthesis parameters such as pH, Mg/P ratio, solution composition were studied and the mechanism of AMP precursors was also demonstrated. The as-produced AMP nanospheres were characterized and tested in vitro. The results proved these AMP nanospheres can self-assemble into mature MgP materials and support cell proliferation. It is expected such AMP has potential in biomedical applications. Show less