Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
formulations (Chapter 5) and multiphase [969] mixtures mimicking
as closely as possible the mineral component of biological
apatite. A work along the ecological ways of synthesis of calcium
orthophosphates might be of a great importance as well [971]. A
deeper study of the fascinating growth rate of deer antlers and the
ability of some animals, such as newts, to regenerate amputated limbs
might provide new and unexpected approaches to the bone-healing
concept, as well as this will be important for further development
of both biomimetics and biomineralization fields. unfortunately, no
currently available grafting biomaterials can substitute the bones'
mechanical function, illustrating yet unmet medical need that would
entirely substitute and regenerate a damaged tissue or organ. In a
close future, the foreseeable application of calcium orthophosphates
will be as a component of the third generation biomaterials [959,
962], where they will support cells and/or other biologically active
substances (peptides, growth factors, hormones, drugs, etc.) to guide
regeneration of hard tissues [972-982].
To finalize this chapter, one should note that, in spite of a long
history of the calcium orthophosphate research (Chapter 8) and
many important discoveries, still many gaps remain in our knowledge
to be investigated in future.
References and Notes
1. As a mineral species, apatite was first recognized by the father of
German geology Abraham Gottlob Werner (1750-1817) in 1786 and
named by him from the ancient Greek απατάω (apatao) - “to mislead”
or “to deceive”, because it had previously been mistaken for other
minerals, such as beryl, tourmaline, chrysolite, amethyst, fluorite,
etc. Currently, apatite is the name for a group of minerals with the
same crystallographic structure and does not indicate one chemical
composition. That is why, the term “calcium apatite” is used in this
topic.
2. Shepperd, J. (2004) The early biological history of calcium phosphates,
in
Fifteen years of Clinical Experience with Hydroxyapatite Coatings
in Joint Arthroplasty
(ed. Epinette, J. A., and manley, m. T.), Springer,
France, pp. 3-8.
3. Berzelius, J. (1845) Ueber basische phosphorsaure kalkerde,
Ann.
Chem. Pharmac
.,
53
, 286-288.
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