Evaluation of the Effect of a PCL/nanoSiO$$_2$$ Implant on Bone Tissue Regeneration Using X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography

This paper evaluates the regeneration process of large bone defects filled with a highly porous (nano) composite implant. A polycaprolactone—based scaffold modified with nanometric silica was introduced into bone defects created in the distal femoral epiphyses of rabbits. The bone tissue regeneration process was evaluated 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after implantation. Empty bone defects served as a control. The osseointegration process was evaluated using the parameters of cancellous bone microstructure. 16 bone tissue samples were imaged using X-ray micro-computed tomography (XMT). There were 1000 2D images in each measurement, which in total gave 16000 2D images. In the end, in this work 200 2D images were picked for detailed analysis. The studies have shown that the PCL/nanoSiO\(_2\) composite implant supports successfully the initial phase of bone regeneration. In each of the reference periods, a greater volume of new bone tissue was observed for the implanted samples.