Hydroxyapatite is the major component of the mineral phase of bone. As such, it is recognized by the body as bone and is excellent for implantation in bony sites. Hydroxyapatite has been commercially available as a synthetic ceramic implant material for over 15 years, and has been offered by CAM as a coating for more than 10 of those years. CAM Implant's extensive scientific background, which goes back more than 15 years, allows us to provide complete support to manufacturers who wish to develop a successful medical implant.

All our coatings result in:

• Excellent biocompatibility
• Calcium and phosphate ion release
• Bone bonding
• Bone deposition on the implant surface
• Presence of more supporting bone

• Excellent biocompatibility
CAMCERAM® HA coatings have proven and excellent biocompability with bone. There are no adverse reactions reported on the HA coatings, and no tendency of the body to wall off the HA surfaces with fibrous encapsulation.

• Calcium and phosphate ion release
Effective HA coatings, when implanted, degrade slowly and release calcium and phosphate ions. These ions are the raw materials from which the mineral phase of bone is constructed. Calcium and phosphate ions can reprecipitate as natural carbonated apatite onto the coating surface. The natural-apatite layer allows osteoblasts to quickly anchor themselves onto the implant surface, even in the presence of micromotion and gaps.
Because bone cells can remodel the HA coating, the implant becomes well fixed during the healing process. At CAM, we believe that coatings that either degrade too quickly, leading to an unstable substrate, or that do not degrade at all, with the consequential lack of bone remodeling, are not effective coatings. The effect of optimal fixation in the medium to long-term is that bone "spot welds'' to the non-coated area of the implant, showing that the critical period for the success of an HA coated implant is the healing phase, after which no negative effect on the long-term result may be expected from any remodeling (degradation) of the HA coating. No implant loosening as a consequence has been reported with CAMCERAM® HA.

• Bone bonding
The percipitated natural-apatite layer forms a chemical bond with the implant surface and the surrounding bone, which is seen under electron microscopy as a continuum with the Lamina Limitans, or natural healing line of bone. This process is called 'bonding osteogenesis.' The bond is further strengthened by osteocytes forming a new cement layer, in which type 1 [bone] collagen fibers are incorporated. At the bone implant interface, the transition from bone to implant cannot be detected, which is a desirable situation when looking for optimal implant fixation.

• Bone deposition on the implant surface
Osteoblasts deposit bone onto the surface of the HA coating. Bone begins to grow from the implant surface outward, and not just from the existing bone to the implant, reducing healing time and preventing the formation of an intervening fibrous-tissue layer. It is believed, as a consequence of this mechanism, that bone can bridge gaps of at least 1 mm, further enhancing the implant fixation.

• Presence of more supporting bone
Because of the tendency of bone to grow on and bond to an HA surface, supporting bone is formed more rapidly and is in direct contact with the HA coated implants. Consequently, stresses are transferred in a more physiological way, thereby preventing critical bone loss and stimulating bone remodeling (Wolff's Law) in a more physiological way. Furthermore, because the coated area of the implant is so well fixed, the area of the implant in direct contact with the bone expands, in time, over the non-coated area, thereby increasing the area of supporting bone, a situation sought by every orthopedic surgeon.