Calcium Phosphosilicate Bioceramic Synthesis via Aqueous Precipitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current synthetic bone replacement materials, such as hydroxyapatite, face limitations in thermal stability and phase composition when silicate substitution exceeds certain levels, leading to the formation of secondary phases and reduced osteoinductive properties.

Innovation Solution

A bioceramic composition is synthesized using an aqueous precipitation reaction, with controlled sintering to produce calcium silico-phosphate (CPS) as the major phase, optimizing the molar ratios and pH conditions to achieve high yields of CPS, and incorporating prolonged sintering times to enhance phase formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silicate substitution level is increased to enhance bone cell behaviour and accelerate bone repair, then osteoinductive properties are improved, but thermal stability deteriorates and secondary phases are formed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveosteoinductive propertiesVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing magnesium substitution at specific levels (0.5-2.0 wt% MgO) and controlling the silicate content (1.0-5.0 wt% SiO2). These parameter adjustments allow the material to maintain thermal stability while preserving osteoinductive properties, resolving the contradiction between enhanced bone repair capability and thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite bioceramic material combining hydroxyapatite with controlled amounts of silicate and magnesium substitutions. This composite approach allows the material to benefit from both the osteoinductive properties of silicate-substituted hydroxyapatite and the thermal stability provided by magnesium substitution, achieving a balance between the conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If silicate substitution exceeds the compositional limit, then bone repair acceleration is maximized, but phase purity deteriorates and tricalcium phosphate forms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone repair accelerationVSAvoidphase purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the substitution parameters by limiting silicate content to 1.0-5.0 wt% SiO2 and magnesium content to 0.5-2.0 wt% MgO. These controlled parameter changes prevent excessive silicate substitution that would lead to tricalcium phosphate formation, thereby maintaining phase purity while still achieving accelerated bone repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnesium as an intermediary element that mediates between the silicate substitution and phase stability. The magnesium substitution (0.5-2.0 wt% MgO) acts as a stabilizing agent that prevents the formation of secondary tricalcium phosphate phases even when silicate content is increased to levels that accelerate bone repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If sintering temperature is increased to achieve complete reaction, then phase formation is improved, but material decomposition occurs and secondary phases form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase formationVSAvoidmaterial decomposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the sintering temperature parameter to a specific range (900-1100°C) that is lower than conventional sintering temperatures. This parameter change, combined with the controlled composition (1.0-5.0 wt% SiO2, 0.5-2.0 wt% MgO), enables complete phase formation without material decomposition or secondary phase formation, resolving the contradiction between achieving desired phase formation and preventing decomposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting bioceramic composition exhibits enhanced thermal stability and increased CPS phase formation, improving bone repair and substitution efficacy while maintaining biocompatibility, suitable for orthopedic and reconstructive applications.

Implementation Method 1

The invention provides a process for the synthesis, using an aqueous precipitation reaction, of a composition that, on controlled sintering/heat-treatment, contains calcium phosphosilicate (CPS)... as the major phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 2

synthesis, using an aqueous precipitation reaction, of a composition that, on controlled sintering/heat-treatment, contains calcium phosphosilicate (CPS)... as the major phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP2238091B1Synthesis of bioceramic compositions
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 THE UNIV COURT OF THE UNIV OF ABERDEEN REGENT WALK
  • EP2238091B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2238091B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A process for the synthesis of a bioceramic composition comprising calcium phosphosilicate (CPS, Ca10(PO4)4(SiO4)2), the process comprising: providing calcium or a calcium-containing compound, a phosphorus-containing compound and a silicon-containing compound; and forming a precipitate by reacting the compounds in an aqueous phase at an alkali pH.