A novel particle morphology for the brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O) powders used in orthopedic cements

Brushite (CaHPO
4
·2H
2
O, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate) is an important component of the powders of orthopedic cements. Brushite-containing cements were produced over the last ten years, and could only be submitted to the commercial and clinical use of European orthopedic surgeons in the last five years. Until now, brushite powders could be produced only as thin and long crystals with lenghts over the range of 70 to 100 microns, and the water-lily-shaped novel crystals presented here cannot be obtained yet. The synthesis procedure which allowed the production of this novel morphology is presented in this study.