Algae to form bones

1987/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza

Rolf Ewers and Christian Kasperk, German surgeons, propose the implant of artificial bones formed by skeletons of unicellular algae. The ceramic material used to date for prosthesis has been calcium phosphate.

Although this material is compacting with bones, it has 200 times less porosity than them and problems arise in the bone/prosthesis interface. Single-celled algae prostheses overcome this problem due to their similar porosity, which allows a better integration of bone tissues and blood vessels into the artificial bone. Better and more sustainable.

Artificial bones are made up of calcium carbonates that require treatment prior to use. This treatment makes the prosthesis compactful. The first human sessions will take place before the end of the year.