Nanoparticles increase primary pressure strength of bone cement

Iranian researchers from Materials and Energy Research Center succeeded in increasing primary pressure strength of artificial bone cement by using nanoparticles.
In the production of the cement, those types of nanoparticles were used that do not harm the biocompatibility of implants and will not be rejected by body's immunity system.
Despite unique advantages of phosphate calcium cements, their low mechanical strength is the factor that limits the application of this material in bone treatment. This material can be used only in places where there is no need for load tolerance. Although the strength of cement gradually increases after being placed inside the body due to the creation of hydroxyapatite needle-type crystals, the important point is the abovementioned disadvantage in the first hours after using the implant inside the body. In this research, it was tried to obtain desirable primary strength by adding biocompatible nanoparticles.
According to Maryam Mohammadi, one of the researchers, polymeric fibers are used in common methods for increasing the strength of phosphate calcium cements. Large size of fibers, their ability to bond with background materials and creating inhomogeneity in the cement structure cause problems in the application of implants and their biocompatibility. However, the production of strengthened phosphate calcium cement provides the strength required for being used inside the body, it does not harm biocompatibility of the used materials and it will not be rejected by human body's immunity system.