Gelatin manipulation of latent macropores formation in brushite cement.

Macroporous brushite cement was prepared from a mixture of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) using gelatin powder as a latent templates. In a setting reaction coexisting with gelatin, closed packed, open-pore structure with 100-200 microm macropores are obtained after immersion of the set cement into PBS buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C for 1-4 weeks. The macroporous brushite cement has compressive strength of 15 MPa originally, which reducing to 5.5 MPa with macropore formation gradually in comparison to that of cancellous bone (5-10 MPa).