Poly(α-hydroxy ester)/short fiber hydroxyapatite composite foams for orthopedic application

A process has been developed to manufacture biodegradable composite foams of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and hydroxyapatite short fibers for use in bone regeneration. The technique allows the manufacture of 3D foam scaffolds and involves the formation of a composite material consisting of a porogen material and hydroxyapatite short fibers embedded in a PLGA matrix. The porogen is initially leached out, then an opencell composite foam remains, which has a pore size and morphology defined by the porogen. The foam porosity can be controlled by altering the volume fraction of the porogen used to make the composite material. The foams are made using various porogen materials. The composite foams may be expected to enhance osteoconductivity and hence provide a novel material that may be useful in the field of bone regeneration.