Novel biomedical materials based on glasses

Some bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics have occupied important positions in bone-repairing materials. Fundamental studies on their bone-bonding mec hanism indicate that Si-OH and Ti-OH group on their surfaces induce the nuc leation of bonelike apatite which is resposible for bonding to living bone. These findings provide us techniques for forming the biologically active b onelike apatite even on metals and organic polymers. A bioactive composite cement also can be derived from bioactive glass-ceramics. Ferrimagnetic cry stals-containing glass-ceramics are useful as thermoseeds for hyperthermia treatment of cancers. Chemically durable glasses containing Y or P at high level can play an important role in radiotherapy of cancers.