Novel calcium silicate/calcium phosphate composites for potential applications as injectable bone cements

Novel bone cements were developed by using a mixture of calcium silicate and calcium phosphate powder as the solid phase, and a solution of chitosan, sodium phosphate and methylcellulose as the liquid phase. Some characteristics and main parameters of the cements, such as setting time, rheological characteristics and morphology of the composites, were investigated. Range of the setting times is from 10 min to 18 min, which indicates that they are easy to operate in practical applications. As incubated in simulated body fluid, they were degradable and led to the formation of hydroxyapatite. Rheological results further suggest that the composites are injectable.