Intensive research is conducted both in understanding the phenomenon of "repair / healing of the bone" and for the development of techniques, devices and materials for effective applications involved in bone regeneration. This study is aimed at the development of a method to fabricate porous spherical tri-calcium phosphate (β-TCP) granules, which can be impregnated with a drug. Microspheres were prepared by the ionotropic gelation technique using CaCl2 as cross-linking agent.

The microstructure and composition of ceramic microsphere were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro cell culture tests showed that both ceramic microsphere types were highly biocompatible and favored cell growth during 72 hours of cultivation. Porous tri-calcium phosphate microspheres can be used for bone void filler, but also for drug delivery systems.