Effect of Apatite Content Adjustment on Mechanical Property of Cancellous Bone

Abstract

Bone tissue is a composite material composed of apatite and collagen. The rigidity of the tissue is depending on the apatite content and crystal alignments. Demineralization of bone provides the flexibility of the tissue. Therefore fracture characteristics could be improved by optimizing the mineral content. On the other hand, a mineral attraction method with voltage application was proposed in our previous study. The apatite content adjustment is expected to use for optimization of mechanical properties of the tissue. In this study, the apatite adjustment methods were applied to the cancellous bone specimens cut out from bovine femurs. The elastic modulus of cancellous bone tissue decreased during demineralization process. Although there was little effect in macroscopic mechanical property, mineral crystal depositions were observed on the surfaces of trabecular bones in the results of voltage application to the bone specimens located in the apatite-neutralizing solution.