Copper Phosphate‐Modified Carbonate Apatite Honeycomb for Bone Regeneration With Infection Prevention

ABSTRACT

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious complication of surgical procedures, particularly those involving artificial bone materials. This study aimed to regenerate bone while preventing SSI by developing a copper phosphate‐modified carbonate apatite honeycomb (CuP/CA HC) scaffold, combining the antibacterial properties of CuP, the osteoconductivity and bioresorbability of CA, and the high bone and vascular in growth potential of the HC structure. The scaffold showed no cytotoxicity toward human mesenchymal stem cells at Cu concentrations ≤360 ppm, and at ≥360 ppm it completely eradicated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Implantation of the CuP/CA HC scaffold containing 360 ppm Cu into femoral bone defects of MRSA‐infected rabbits completely prevented infection for up to 4 weeks. Bone and blood vessels had formed by week 2, and by week 4 part of the scaffold was replaced by new bone. In contrast, clinically used irregular artificial bone (Osferion Marvelous 60) and CA HC scaffolds failed to prevent infection, though the CA HC group showed no sequestrum and confirmed new bone formation at week 4. These findings demonstrate that CuP effectively prevents infection while the HC structure contributes to infection control, indicating that CuP/CA HC scaffolds are a promising material for bone regeneration with SSI prevention.