Calcium Metaphosphate Fibers for Biomedical Use

High-strength calcium metaphosphate ( beta -Ca(PO sub 3 ) sub 2 ) fibers are extracted from crystallized products of ultraphosphate glasses by aqueous leaching. Biological safety of beta -Ca(PO sub 3 ) sub 2 fibers was evaluated in terms of studies such as (i)single-dose oral toxicity, (ii)primary dermal irritation and (iii)bacterial reverse mutation. beta -Ca(PO sub 3 ) sub 2 fibers were implanted for 4, 8, and 12 weeks into bone defects created in the bone marrow of rat tibiae. Histological study showed that bone formation was observed around them. It is expected that the fibers have not produced negative effects for the living body and did not show any injuries to the bone tissue.