What is Artificial Bone?

Artificial bone refers to bone-like material created in a laboratory that can be used in bone grafts, to replace human bone that was lost due to severe fractures and disease. (Johnson Ferry, R.D., and Marietta, G.A. , 1999).

Synthetic HYDROXYAPATITE

Hydroxyapatite has the chemical formula Ca₅(PO₄)₃(OH). It's a natural forming minerals produced by calcium and phosphate minerals. It is a major component in bones and teeth.

Most artificial bones nowadays are made from hydroxyapatite, which has the same chemical formula as bone itself. Synthetic hydroxyapatite, however, is neither as porous as real bone nor as strong.
Pores are important :

·         They are conduits for blood flow (blood is generated in bone marrow) and they allow bones to be strong without being too heavy.

·         Pores also provide a way for living bone to attach itself permanently to an implant.

 
Sea carol
It is porous but lack of strength. Sea coral is mostly used for cranial restructuring.

CERAMICS 
Possible to synthesize ceramic materials with the right combination of strength and inter-connected pores to mimic real bone.

Ceramic particles made of calcium phosphate act like signaling beacons to attract stem cells and growth factors to the site of an artificial bone graft.

One of the most promising ceramics starts as a powdery mixture of calcium and phosphate compounds (CaO and P₂O₅). Ignite the mixture, which burns at 2600 C. CaO and P₂O₅ react to produce tricalcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂), a substance remarkably similar (chemically) to real bone. The reaction also yields heat and gaseous by-products that naturally form bubbly pores.

New Invention : WOOD Artificial Bone 
Wood-derived bone substitute should allow live bones to heal faster and more securely after a break than currently available metal and ceramic implants.

The researchers chose wood because it closely resemble the physical structure of natural bone

To create the bone substitute, the scientists start with a block of wood -- red oak, rattan and sipo work best -- and heat it until all that remains is pure carbon, which is basically charcoal.

The scientists then spray calcium over the carbon, creating calcium carbide. Additional chemical and physical steps convert the calcium carbide into carbonated hydroxyapatite, which can then be implanted and serves as the artificial bone.

The entire process takes about one week and costs about $850 for a single block. One block translates to about one bone implant. They can create virtually any size or shape.

Wood-based implants would have several advantages over traditional titanium or ceramic implants.

Since their physical structure is more spongy than solid, like many metal or ceramic implants, live bone should grow into wood-derived bone substitute quicker and more securely.

One disadvantage of titanium is that its not bioactive. This means that titanium is unable to interact with living tissue, unlike the wood-derived substitute.

Softer wooden implants might cause fewer bone breaks.

However, wood-derived bone substitute are still not cleared for use in humans. The scientists are currently limited to sheep.