Laurenti, Karen CristinaAlbuquerque Haach, Lourdes Cristina deSantos, Arnaldo Rodrigues dosDomingos de Almeida Rollo, Joao ManuelMenezes Reiff, Rodrigo Bezerra deMinarelli Gaspar, Ana Maria [UNESP]Purquerio, Benedito de MoraesFortulan, Carlos Alberto2014-12-032014-12-032014-05-01Materials Research-ibero-american Journal Of Materials. Sao Carlos: Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Engenharia Materials, v. 17, n. 3, p. 638-649, 2014.1516-1439http://hdl.handle.net/11449/112558This study presents an innovative and original biomaterial designed to substitute for articular cartilage and mimic its mechanical behavior, including elastic cushioning and the characteristics of fiber-reinforced gel. The material was composed of polyurethane and bioglass microfiber 45S5. It was designed to present a tribological surface to the cartilage of the tibial plateau, and to convert over a functional gradient to an osteointegrable region for self-anchorage to the subchondral bone. The biomaterial samples showed no toxicity and promoted cell spreading. Subsequent in vivo studies in rabbits demonstrated the formation of a rigid structure similar to bone trabeculae in the distal region of the tribological surface of the implant. The tribological surface of the proximal region showed a fibrocartilaginous tissue with highly vascularized chondrocytes, thus validating the proposed concept for the design of the implant incorporating a functional gradient and auto-stability.638-649engosteochondral defectpolyurethanemicrofiber 45S5 bioglasscartilage repairfunctional gradientArtigo10.1590/S1516-14392014005000030S1516-14392014005000030WOS:000338017600015Acesso abertoS1516-14392014000300015.pdf8379925533335630