Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite scaffolds from injectable calcium phosphate/chitosan cements

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) has been success-fully used in bone tissue regeneration for many years. However, poor mechanical properties and low biodegradation rate limit any further applications. R-cement has a higher solubility than conventional CPC and its reaction products (CDHA) are similar to the mineral phase of bone. In this work we have developed new CPC composition which consists of a mix of cement R, glycerol as a liquid phase carrier and a biodegradable hydrogel (chitosan) which acts as a binder and was incorporated into R-cement to strengthen this biomaterial. The cement past was found to be stable in a syringe (even after two month of storage in the freezer) and hardened only after being exposed to biological fluids.