Application of borate glass in the field of biomaterials

Abstract

The introduction of borate into bio-glass will significantly increase the bioactivity of the glass, as well as increase its biodegradation, which makes the glass being degraded completely. In addition, the toxicity caused by the release of boron from the glass is within the tolerance of human body. So, the attention to the bioactive borate glasses is widely drawn by biomaterial scientists. This article introduces two methods, Presoaking and Crystallization, of lowering the toxicity caused by the release of boron from the glass based on the research of the bioactive borate glass; generalize the main application of the glass as a biomaterial is bone repairing, drug delivery, cells growth stimulating and antibacterial. Compared the bioactive borate glass with the traditional bioactive glass, this article summarizes the advantages and shortages of this bio-glass at present, as well as points out the main investigation of this bio-glass in the future.