Collagen Biomineralization In Vivo by Sustained Release of Inorganic Phosphate Ions

A new strategy for mineralized tissue formation in vivo is presented based on localized sustained delivery of inorganic orthophosphate (Pi) sufficient to supersaturate tissue surrounding an implant and induce mineralization of collagen. After 15 days implantation mineral formation around the implants was detected. Histology and electron microscopy show two populations of apatite; inter-fibrillar microcrystals and nanocrystals associated with collagen.