Bioactive core material for porous load-bearing implants

So far state of knowledge on biodegradable materials is reviewed. Among a variety of investigated materials, those composed of polymers and ceramics may be considered as only candidates for a core material in porous titanium alloy. The collagen and chitosan among natural polymers, polyhydroxy acids among synthetic polymers, and hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate among ceramics are proposed for further research. Three essential conditions for a core material are defined as: biodegradation rate “in vitro” and “in vivo” close to bone tissue in-growth rate, high compression strength and ability to form nanoporous open structure inside the material for vascularisation. Possible deposition techniques of a core material within the macropores of metallic scaffold include infiltration of titanium porous structure with polymer scaffold followed by precipitation of phosphate nanoparticles, and mixing of phosphate and polymers before deposition followed by controlled precipitation inside the pores.