Characterization of biomaterials used for bone regeneration by FTIR spectroscopy

FTIR spectroscopy has been used to analyse the process of bone regeneration taking place in the presence of surface modified carbon materials. Two typ es of carbon implant materials differing in their surface properties have b een examined: an oxidized carbon fabric and a carbon fabric coated with a p yrolytic carbon layer. Samples of bone tissue have been retrieved at differ ent times after implantation for spectroscopic study. The ratio of bone com ponents has been calculated from the FTIR spectra of the samples. based on the integrated areas of the bands brought about by the vibrations of phosph ates and amide groups. Additionally: the analysis of the shape and intensit y of these bands provided information on developing and on the rate of bone mineralization. The investigation has shown that healing is faster in the presence of the carbon fabric coated with a pyrolytic carbon layer used as an implant material. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.