An investigation of Bioglass powders: quality assurance test procedure and test criteria.

Bioglass, in bulk form, has been used to bond to the body's hard and soft tissues in many surgical and dental applications over the past 18 years. There is also a large potential use of Bioglass, in powder or paste from, to fill irregular-shaped bony defects caused by local or systemic disease, congenital malformations, or trauma in the fields of otolaryngology and dental sciences. A quality assurance test procedure to analyze powdered Bioglass to guarantee that the bioactivity of the glass has been maintained during manufacturing was developed. Herein states the quality assurance test procedure, test variables, and test criteria to assure the bioactivity of Bioglass powders made from known bioactive bulk Bioglass samples. Also described herein is the path taken to develop the test procedure and test criteria and experiments performed to study the test variables.