摘要

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) with high bioactivity and bio-degradability have great potential for orthopaedic applications. However, handling performance and mechanical properties of current CPCs are not adequate for the applications in the minimally invasive surgery treating osteoporotic vertebral fracture like kyphoplasty. Here, the effects of reactant compositions, additions of seed crystals and setting liquids on the handling and mechanical properties of alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP)-based CPC were firstly studied. In order to further improve the injectability, anti-collapsibility and mechanical properties of CPC, natural bio-macromolecules including starch and poly (gamma-glutamic acid) were used as additive bio-macromolecules for enhancing such properties. Compared with pure CPC, the injectability, anti-collapsibility and compressive strength were significantly enhanced by incorporation of the bio-macromolecule additives. The results indicated starch-and poly (gamma-glutamic acid)modified CPCs have a potential for the application of injectable bone cements for kyphoplasty and other treatments for load-bearing bones, and therefore are worth further study.