Introduction

The application of calcium phosphate bone cements (CPCs) into a void for example of an osteoporotic bone is very difficult as the cement paste is made outside the application site and subsequently applied into the damaged bone. A common drawback of especially apatitic cements is a very low resorption rate due to small pore size Therefore different approaches have been described to add macropores into the cement², leading to bone ingrowth and tissue penetration. The aim of this project is the use of two separate formulations in pressurised systems – a suspension and an emulsion – which can be mixed in a specially developed device and can be applied easily and efficiently into a bone directly during surgery leading to a self-hardening macro porous CPC foam. The intention is to fill voids in osteoporotic bones to ensure stability for implants like e.g. screws for femur neck fractures. An increased stability for implants can allow the possibility of a less invasive femur neck preserving therapy in contrast to a femur neck replacement. Other indications for such foam (i.e. kyphoplasty) are under evaluation.