Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Post Enucleation Socket Syndrome (PESS) which exhibits through anophthalmic appearance with a retraction or ptosis of the upper eye-lid and orbital floor fracture are very common post-operative problems after enucleation/evisceration surgery. Use of hydroxyapatite (HAp) as an implant was initiated due to its non-toxicity, biocompatibility and non-allergenic nature of this bioactive material. In the present investigation, HAp powder was synthesized through simple wet chemistry by using Ca(OH)2 and H3PO4 as reactants with Ca/P molar ratio 1.67 and subsequently turned to the desired shape and size of the orbital implant using CNC. After critically drying, these are finally sintered at 1250o C for 2 hours with sufficient mechanical strength. The samples prepared by the same method as stated were tested for different physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties. Physico-chemical characterization include chemical analysis, XRD, XRF, FTIR, microstructure by SEM, detailed porosity, pore size distribution and micro CT, while mechanical and biological characterization include determination of compressive strength and assessment by MTT assay using NIH 3T3 (mouse fibroblast) cell line. It was found that phasewise this is purely hydroxyapatite (HAp) with about 16-20 nm (a-axis) and 22-30 nm (c-axis) average crystallite size and 87-90% crystallinity. There was no other phases present. FTIR confirmed the characteristics functional groups of HAp. The median pore sizes of these samples were found between 1-90 �¼m. From the micro CT data, we found uniform networked and interconnected pores which are desirable for soft tissue invasion. We can also see the interconnected porous structure from SEM images. MTT assay assured the non-toxic nature of the samples. Thus the results show that spherical implants have been made which can be used as an eyeball implant with superior motility.

Biography

Email: itishree.ratha@gmail.com biswa.kundun@gmail.com