Scientists from the Silicate Department, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology have successfully produced bioactive glass ceramic materials for permanent implants, serving as bone substitutes in medical orthopedics, with strength comparable to human bone.
This achievement is the result of a state-level project conducted from 2003 to 2005, led by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung.
Produced using Vietnamese technology, bioactive glass ceramics are materials with significantly higher biological properties compared to traditional biomaterials (such as titanium, special alloys, carbon materials, and silicon). When implanted into the body, this material does not trigger rejection reactions, does not cause irritation, or disrupt the biological processes of living organisms. Notably, this material can biochemically bond with living cells, facilitating the regeneration of cells after injury and enabling direct bonding with the implant surface, similar to the body’s bone.
After two successful rounds of implantation trials on animals, the research team tested the material on human patients at the Central Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital, Central Dental Hospital, and K Hospital. The applications included using the material to replace sound-conducting ossicles, reconstructing the middle ear bones, replacing tooth roots, repairing facial bones, and filling bone defects.
In all surgical cases involving the implantation of bioactive glass ceramics in patients, there were no instances of rejection. Patients healed quickly, showed good recovery rates, and particularly demonstrated high functionality restoration of the treated areas.
The principle of manufacturing bioactive glass ceramics is based on glass ceramic production technology. The primary raw materials for synthesizing the material include natural materials (white sand) and other clean chemicals (calcium phosphate, aluminum hydroxide, boric acid, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, potassium, and calcium fluoride).
These raw materials are weighed according to specific quantities and then mixed thoroughly in a grinder. Subsequently, the raw materials are melted in a gas furnace and refined in an electric furnace, adding catalysts to initiate crystallization, followed by complete melting using glass manufacturing technology under appropriate conditions to facilitate the crystallization process.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung stated that this represents a new material direction, simultaneously meeting various technical and economic requirements to address the need for high-quality orthopedic materials in healthcare, replacing imported products and moving towards export. There is a strong need for state investment to develop production.
