Glass-based framework structures and implants

Porous glass samples with cells.

Porous Vycor glass as cell substrate.

SEM image: a (stained) cell on a porous glass substrate.
Glass systems
- Porous Vycor glasses (sodium borosilicate glasses)
- Modified Vycor glasses (e.g. with iron)
- Bioglass 45S5 (calcium phosphate silicate glasses)
- Modified organic glasses (e.g. with strontium)
- Bioglass ceramics (e.g. aluminosilicate glass ceramics containing fluorine and magnesium)
Shaping
- Flakes
- Powder | Particles
- Tubes
- Fibers
Application
- 3D-scaffolding structures
- Particulate cell growth substrates
- Implants
Advantages
- Free-form surfaces
- Variable functional porosity
- Adaptable chemical composition
- Microstructurable
- Biodegradable