[Histonet] Embedding PMMA implants

[Linda Jenkins]

Caron,
         There are numerous plastics to embed hard tissue in BUT, if your 
implant is PMMA, you definitely DO NOT want to embed in PMMA as it will 
dissolve most of your implant.  I have had very good results with Technovit 
7200 which is a light curing resin and is sold by the Exakt company.  There 
are many pre-made kits on the market to embed hard tissue.  Since you are 
just starting out, you might want to use a pre-made kit(removes a lot of 
the "head-banging" that goes along with hard tissue).  I would also urge 
you to do a pilot study of your implant material.  In other words, take a 
sample of your implant material and embed it in a variety of monomers and 
see what happens.  Also, bear in mind, that an implant will usually 
maintain more of its integrity when it is implanted and then processed.
         Good Luck,
         Linda

Linda Jenkins, HT
Clemson University
Dept. of Bioengineering
Clemson, SC 29634-0905
864.656.5553
http://www.ces.clemson.edu/bio/research/histo.htm