THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOLUBLE BORATE GLASS NETWORKS INTENDED FOR TRANSIENT EMBOLIZATION OF THE GENICULATE ARTERY

Abstract

Geniculate artery embolization (GAE) is for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis. In particular, GAE is indicated for patients that are resistant to conservative therapies but are not yet indicated for a total knee arthroplasty. Due to the infancy of the procedure, there exist no microspheres tailored to the clinical requirements of GAE. Pre-market research has established that the ideal microspheres for GAE should be both degradable and imageable. To address these considerations, 16 borate glasses modified with K2O and SrO were investigated as candidates for use in GAE. Glasses were characterized to determine composition-structure-property relationships in addition to dissolution behaviour, imageability, and response to sterilization. The glasses exhibit tailorable dissolution rates and in certain embodiments are imageable on CT without confounding MRI. A preferred composition was selected and processed into microspheres, then recharacterized. This preferred composition has been deemed suitable for further development as a potential product for GAE.