Granulates based on calcium phosphate with controlled morphology and porosity for medical applications: physico-chemical parameters and production technique.

Since the pore size distribution of a material in contact with bone is decisive for its type of link with the tissue, many granules are commercially available as fillers and as bone reconstructing materials. We propose a new technological procedure. The optimum architectural design for obtaining the most suitable link in vivo is investigated. Particular attention is attached to the granulate texture: micropores, macropores, total volume of pores, pore size distribution, and the morphology and shape of the pores. These characteristics are studied in order to obtain the best porosity for hydroxyapatite granulates now applied in vivo, with interesting results in mechanical and hard tissue linkage terms.