Processing and properties of sol-gel bioactive glasses

Melt derived 45S5 Bioglass(R) has been studied for more than 25 years. Biog lass(R) has excellent biocompatibility, and its surface reactivity has cont ributed to its clinical success over the past 10 years. Recently, porous bi oactive glasses have been derived through sol-gel processing in an attempt to increase the specific surface area, and, thus, the surface reactivity an d degradability of the material. This allows the material to be replaced ul timately by natural tissue while it stimulates bone regeneration. In this w ork, the processing and properties of these sol-gel bioactive glasses are d iscussed, and a nem drying method and treatment is described to make homoge neous particulate and monoliths on a production scale. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.