JP2010173906A - Ceramic structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ceramic structure 1 which has a multidirectional property, and an increased surface area, and is suitable particularly as artificial bones, bone filling materials, cell culture carriers and the like which fix and carry cells, facilitate cell invasion from multiple directions, and are suitable to more proliferate and culture cells. <P>SOLUTION: The ceramic structure comprises a combination of a honeycomb structure 2 in which through-holes 2A are located in at least one direction, and a random structure 3 which is an aggregate of fine formed bodies 4 each having at least one through-hole 4A and in which the through-holes 4A are located in three-dimensional directions, wherein the random structure 3 is arranged outside or inside the honeycomb structure 2, or these are formed in a layered shape. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ceramic structure having a through-hole, and in particular, in the case of a living body, it is used for a biological tissue filling material such as a bone filling material or a cell culture carrier, to fix and carry cells that become bones or blood vessels, The present invention relates to a ceramic structure suitable for growth and culture.

  Conventional ceramic structures have been used for various applications such as catalyst carriers, filter media, and heat storage materials by utilizing the pores. For example, bone structures such as bone tumor removal and trauma, etc. It has been studied as a biological tissue supplement or cell culture platform. Examples of the pore shape used at this time include various types such as a general porous body, a foam shape having three-dimensional network pores, a through-hole, or a honeycomb shape. However, although the porous body has multi-directionality of pores, it is difficult to control the size and distribution of the porous material, so that invasion of cells does not always occur smoothly and the growth is not sufficiently promoted. There is a problem, and the foam type has the feature that the pore diameter can be set to some extent and has multi-directionality, but it is easy to crack in the skeleton part due to manufacturing, the strength becomes extremely low, and at the same time, the penetration The lack of pores is not enough to promote cell growth. In addition, since the honeycomb-shaped one can easily control the pores and a single through-hole having a uniform diameter can be obtained, sufficient cell growth is desired by improving the surface area, and the strength is stable. Since all the through-holes are oriented in a certain direction, it is difficult for cells to enter from other directions, and it is difficult to obtain a sufficient effect depending on the location. In such a situation, a combination of the above-described structures in order to increase the affinity and fusion power with a living body is also conceivable. For example, a method of providing a through-hole in a porous body is known (see Patent Document 1). . By adopting this structure, the surface area increases, and at the same time, cells can enter not only from one direction but also from multiple directions.

JP 2004-275202 A

  However, since the porous body is used in the above structure, the above-described porous problems occur as they are, and further, if through holes are provided in the porous body, there is a problem in strength, so it is difficult to provide a large number. In particular, there are various problems in obtaining a combination of a through-hole having an appropriate number and diameter for improving affinity and fusion power with a living body and a porous body having appropriate pores.

  The present invention is a ceramic structure in which the above problems are solved, and is an aggregate of a honeycomb-like structure in which the direction of the through-hole is positioned in one direction and a micro-molded product having at least one through-hole. The first gist is that the direction of the through hole is a combination with a random structure in which the direction of the through hole is randomly positioned in the three-dimensional direction.

  A second gist is that a random structure is disposed outside or inside the honeycomb structure.

  Furthermore, the third gist is that the honeycomb structure and the random structure are arranged in multiple layers.

  Furthermore, the fourth gist is that the micro-molded products of random structures are self-adhered.

  Furthermore, the fifth gist is that the ceramic structure is for living bodies.

  The ceramic structure of the present invention has a remarkable feature that the direction of the through-hole is not only unidirectional but also multidirectional, the size and distribution of the hole diameter can be easily controlled, and the surface area is extremely increased. In particular, when used as a living body, cells can enter from only one direction or from multiple directions at the same time, and can be easily embedded without worrying about the way and direction of implantation. Cell invasion progresses smoothly and sufficient growth is promoted, and at the same time, it can be molded into a shape suitable for the type and amount of cells or the location of bone replacement, and more cells are attached because the surface area is improved. It has various advantages in that it can be expected to dramatically improve the affinity with the living body and the fusion power.

It is a perspective schematic diagram showing a ceramic structure of the present invention. It is a partial schematic diagram showing a random structure. It is a perspective schematic diagram which shows the other ceramic structure of this invention. It is a perspective schematic diagram showing other ceramic structures of the present invention. It is a perspective schematic diagram showing other ceramic structures of the present invention.

  The ceramic structure of the present invention achieves the purpose of enabling cell invasion from one direction and multiple directions, especially when used for living organisms, and promoting cell generation and growth. Next, the ceramic structure of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a ceramic structure 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view showing the structure of a random structure 3. The ceramic structure 1 has a configuration in which a cylindrical random structure 3 is disposed outside a columnar honeycomb structure 2 having a single through hole 2A.

  The honeycomb structure 2 is provided with a plurality of through-holes 2A from the top to the bottom of FIG. 1, and is formed into a honeycomb shape by extrusion molding, press molding, injection molding or mechanical perforation. Alternatively, a rod-shaped body having at least one through hole may be bundled to form a honeycomb shape. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped body is arbitrary, such as a circle, a triangle, a square, and a hexagon. The outer shape of the honeycomb structure 2 is a columnar shape, but any other triangular prism, quadrangular column, hexagonal column or the like can be used.

  The diameter of the through-hole 2A is not limited as long as cells, blood vessels, bones and the like are sufficiently generated and can be grown, and can be set as appropriate according to use conditions. For example, the diameter is 10 to 1000 μm, particularly suitable for cell invasion. The range of 200 to 1000 μm is preferable. Furthermore, what has the through-hole from which a hole diameter differs can be used. The cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 2A is arbitrary, such as a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, and a hexagon, but usually a circle is preferably used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the random structure 3 is provided with through holes 4A in the longitudinal direction of the columnar micro-molded product 4, and is micro-molded so that the direction of the through-holes 4A is randomly positioned in the three-dimensional direction. The assembled and fixed micro-molded products 4 are joined to each other at the contact part, and the outer peripheral surface other than the contact part is joined in a three-dimensional manner without joining. As a result, the gap is formed as a three-dimensional network-like pore 3A. Therefore, the surface area is increased by adding the pores 3A to the through holes 4A.

  Examples of the external shape of the micro-molded product 4 include a columnar shape such as a spherical shape, a columnar shape, a triangular columnar shape, a quadrangular columnar shape, and a hexagonal columnar shape, and these can be used in combination, but preferably a columnar shape, particularly a cylindrical shape. Is preferred. That is, it becomes easy to arrange the micromolded articles 4 randomly in the three-dimensional direction, and as a result, the pores 3A are easily formed in the gaps between the micromolded articles 4. In the case of the columnar shape, L / D (L: length, D: outer diameter) of the micromolded product 4 is arbitrary, but is preferably 1.5 or more, and particularly preferably 3 or more. When L / D is less than 1.5, the shape is infinitely disk-shaped, so that even if the hole directions of the through-holes are randomly located, they are likely to overlap closely, making it difficult to produce the ceramic structure 1. As a result, it is difficult to obtain the desired pores in the gaps between the micromolded products.

  The diameter of the through hole 4A of the micromolded product 4 is preferably 10 to 1000 μm, particularly 200 to 1000 μm, like the through hole 2A of the honeycomb structure 2. The number of the through holes 4A is at least one, and typically a pipe shape is preferable as shown in FIG. 2, but a honeycomb shape having a plurality of through holes can also be used. The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 4A is arbitrary, such as a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, and a hexagon, but a circle is particularly preferably used.

  Examples of the fixing structure between the micro-molded products 4 for obtaining the random structure 3 include coating fixing and self-fixing, and self-fixing is particularly preferable. The coating and fixing is a structure in which the micromolded products 4 are joined to each other by forming carbon from the adhesive material or the adhesive material on the outer peripheral surface of the micromolded product 4. Self-adhesion is the self-adhesive strength of the micro-molded product 4 itself without using an adhesive material, that is, the bonding material contained in the micro-molded product 4 or the carbon obtained by firing from the binding material or the firing of the main material described later. It has a structure in which the bonding force is used for joining, and has features such that there is less complexity such as coating fixation in production, and three-dimensional network-like clear pores are easily obtained in the gaps between the micro-molded products. Examples of the adhesive material or binding material include natural resins, synthetic resins, bioabsorbable polymer materials such as collagen and gelatin.

  Ceramic is used as a main material used for the micro-molded product 4 of the honeycomb structure 2 and the random structure 3, and particularly when used as a bone filling material or a cell culture carrier, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, calcium phosphate, etc. The ceramics are preferable, and further, the calcium phosphate ceramic is suitable because it has characteristics close to that of biological materials. Specifically, for example, primary calcium phosphate, calcium metaphosphate, dibasic calcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, phosphoric acid. Examples include tetracalcium, octacalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite. Other materials may be added in addition to the main material, such as ceramics and resins other than the materials used for the main material, and bioabsorbable polymer substances such as collagen and gelatin, and biological materials such as carbon. Examples thereof include materials that are suitably used for applications. The main materials used for the honeycomb structure and the random structure are preferably the same, but may be different.

  In addition to the ceramic structure 1 of FIG. 1, examples of other combined structures include the structures of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the ceramic structure 5 and shows a combined structure in which a random structure 7 is arranged inside a cylindrical honeycomb structure 6. Here, in the case of FIG. 1, a honeycomb structure may be further provided outside the random structure 3, or a random structure may be further provided outside the honeycomb structure 6 in FIG. Good. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the ceramic structure 8. The ceramic structure 8 is provided with two honeycomb-like structures 10 inside a random-like structure 9, and on the contrary, although not shown, Two or more random structures may be provided inside the structure. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a ceramic structure 11 showing still another combination structure, in which the honeycomb structure 12 and the random structure 13 overlap each other, and in FIG. However, two or more layered structures may be stacked alternately.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the ceramic structure of the present invention will be briefly described. First, a main material such as ceramic and a binder such as resin are kneaded as a raw material and extruded into a honeycomb shape or formed into a pipe shape. Then, the one bundled in one direction is formed into an appropriate shape, and dried or fired at a high temperature to obtain a honeycomb structure. On the other hand, after producing an extruded material having at least one through-hole using the same or another material as a main material, cutting it to an appropriate length, the obtained micro-molded material has a three-dimensional hole direction of the through-hole. It is assembled and fixed so as to be random in the original direction, dried or fired to obtain a random structure. The random structure and the honeycomb structure are filled in a predetermined mold and fixed to each other so that they are externally or internally, or appropriately combined in layers, and finally dried or fired to form a ceramic structure. And Next, examples of the present invention will be described. “Part” means “part by mass”.

  100 parts of water is added to 80 parts of tricalcium phosphate as a main material and 20 parts of polyvinyl alcohol as a binder, and after kneading, extrusion molding is performed with a length of 5.0 mm, an outer diameter of 2.0 mm, and a pore diameter of 300 μm. A columnar honeycomb-shaped material having 14 holes was produced. This material was fixed in the center of a cylindrical mold having an inner diameter of 8 mm. Next, using the same raw materials and blends as above, extrusion molding after kneading to produce a large number of cylindrical micro-molded materials having through holes with a length of 1.6 mm, an outer diameter of 0.5 mm and a hole diameter of 300 μm did. The micro-molded material was gathered at random around the honeycomb-shaped material in the mold to obtain a random-shaped material, and water was sprayed and pressed lightly. At this time, the bonding material inside the honeycomb-shaped material and the micro-molded material is wetted with water and the surface of the material is activated, and a combined material in which the micro-molded material and the micro-molded material and the honeycomb-shaped material are joined is obtained. It was. This combined material is fired at a maximum temperature of 1100 ° C. in an oxygen atmosphere, and a random structure in which micro-molded products are assembled and fixed so that the direction of the through-holes is random in the three-dimensional direction outside the honeycomb structure. The ceramic structure which consists of a tricalcium phosphate which has the structure arrange | positioned cylindrically was obtained. At this time, in the contact portion between the honeycomb-shaped material and the micro-molded material, the encapsulated bonding materials are bonded to each other on the surface, and the bonding material is sublimated in oxygen by firing. The two are fixed. The obtained ceramic structure is white and the degree of randomness of the random structure arranged around the honeycomb structure is extremely good, it is not easily broken, and there is a three-dimensional gap in the space between the micro-molded products. The pores having a net-like structure were also clearly formed. This ceramic structure was embedded as a bone grafting material for rabbits for living body and taken out after 4 weeks. When the ceramic structure was taken out after 4 weeks, many bones were also found in the through holes of the honeycomb structure and the random structure, and also in the three-dimensional network pores in the gap. The blasts proliferated and showed sufficient growth.

  The same raw materials and blends as in Example 1 were used and extruded to form a honeycomb-shaped material having 20 through-holes having a length of 6.0 mm, a height of 6.0 mm, a thickness of 2.0 mm and a pore diameter of 300 μm. Here, the through hole communicates with the height direction. Moreover, the thing similar to Example 1 was used for the micromolded material. Next, a honeycomb-shaped material is arranged in the center of a rectangular parallelepiped mold having a length of 6.0 mm, a height of 6.0 mm, and a thickness of 8.0 mm. Filled together, randomly assembled into a random material, sprinkled with water and pressed lightly to obtain a combination material in which the micro-molded materials are joined together and the micro-molded material and the honeycomb-shaped material are joined as in Example 1. It was. This material was fired at a maximum temperature of 1100 ° C. in an oxygen atmosphere to obtain a ceramic structure in which a honeycomb structure and a random structure were arranged in three layers. This ceramic structure had the same characteristics as in Example 1.

  The ceramic structure of the present invention has a very large pore surface area and is multidirectional, so that it can be applied to various uses such as a catalyst carrier, a filtering material, and a heat storage material. Since the proliferation of the cells is promoted and cell invasion from multiple directions is facilitated, the bone substitute material or the cell culture carrier can be satisfactorily applied to the medical field.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ceramic structure 2 Honeycomb-like structure 2A Through-hole of honeycomb-like structure 2 3 Random-like structure 3A Pores of random-like structure 3 4 Micro-molded product 4A Through-hole of micro-molded product 4 5 Ceramic-structure 6 Honeycomb Structure 7 Random structure 8 Ceramic structure 9 Random structure 10 Honeycomb structure 11 Ceramic structure 12 Honeycomb structure 13 Random structure

Claims (5)

  An assembly of a honeycomb-like structure in which the direction of the through-hole is positioned in one direction and a micro-molded product having at least one through-hole, and the direction of the through-hole is randomly positioned in a three-dimensional direction A ceramic structure comprising a combination with a random structure.   2. The ceramic structure according to claim 1, wherein a random structure is disposed outside or inside the honeycomb structure.   2. The ceramic structure according to claim 1, wherein the honeycomb structure and the random structure are arranged in a multilayer shape.   The ceramic structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the minute molded products of the random structure are self-adhering to each other.   The ceramic structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ceramic structure is for a living body.

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