TrelCor^® Technology

TrelCor advanced bone graft material features nanosized surface architecture and morphology that provides a unique surface for cell attachment that leads to bone formation. Compared to traditional synthetic bone graft surfaces, the nanocrystalline structure of TrelCor granules provides a highly textured surface to its surrounding environment. Images below show TrelCor’s nanosized plate-like crystals at 20KX magnification.

HCA is a a carbonated form of calcium phosphate that closely resembles the mineral content of bone, giving it advanced osteoconductive properties. A bone-like apatite layer forms on top of the HCA surface layer when exposed to simulated body fluid.¹*

Cross-sectional SEM image of TrelCor’s distinct dual-region composition (1,000X)

TrelCor bone grafts were designed with optimal resorption characteristics. Once implanted, TrelCor’s initial resorption occurs at a pace that gives the bone formation process enough time to fill in the porosity with new bone.  Once this is complete, a secondary resorption process begins and quickly creates additional space for the final bone formation process to occur.  This is possible due to TrelCor’s unique dual-region composition:

• A thin, slow-resorbing hydroxycarbanoapatite (HCA) surface layer which stays around long enough for new bone to form, and
• A fast-resorbing calcium carbonate (CC) core which resorbs only after substantial bone growth has already occurred

At 12 weeks^†‡, prominent bone growth (yellow) is visible on the surface of the TrelCor granules while also penetrating into the calcium carbonate area. This timepoint depicts both the initial resorption of the HCA layer and penetration of new bone into the calcium carbonate region.

Histology image showing TrelCor resorption and new bone formation.