Injectable Composite Material Suitable for Use as a Bone Substitute

Abstract

The invention relates to a new injectable composite material suitable for use as a bone substitute. The composite material according to the invention comprises a reactive ceramic phase based on tricalcium phosphate and an organic phase comprising a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel. By varying the concentration of the two phases it is possible to modulate the mechanical and injectability properties of the material.

1 . An injectable composite material comprising a tricalcium phosphate ceramic phase and a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel fluid phase. 
     
     
         2 . The injectable composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel fluid phase is an aqueous solution of 2-30% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         3 . The injectable composite material according to  claim 1 , having a polyvinyl alcohol polymer/tricalcium phosphate ratio by weight within the range of 3/97 to 20/80 (w/w). 
     
     
         4 . The injectable composite material according to  claim 3 , having a polyvinyl alcohol polymer/tricalcium phosphate ratio by weight of 7/93 (w/w). 
     
     
         5 . The injectable composite material according to  claim 3 , having a polyvinyl alcohol polymer/tricalcium phosphate ratio by weight of 12/88 (w/w). 
     
     
         6 . The injectable composite material according to  claim 3 , having a polyvinyl alcohol polymer/tricalcium phosphate ratio by weight of 14/86 (w/w). 
     
     
         7 . The injectable composite material according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bioactive agent selected from a drug, a cell culture, a growth factor or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The injectable composite material according to  claim 1 , as a bone substitute. 
     
     
         9 . The use of an injectable composite material according to  claim 1 , for preparing a medicament suitable for use as a bone substitute. 
     
     
         10 . A method of preparing an injectable composite material according to  claim 1 , comprising preparing an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol and subsequently mixing the said aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol with tricalcium phosphate powder.