Dissolution behaviour and imageability of ternary borate glasses for use in geniculate artery embolization

Sixteen borate glass compositions comprising K 2 O and SrO were screened, using a design of mixtures approach, to model compositional effects on dissolution, CT imageability, and MRI relaxivity (R 2 ). Based on the characteristics of each network, together with dose determination and toxicological risk, the composition identified as BKSA16 was selected as a preferred composition for pre-clinical evaluations related to geniculate artery embolization (GAE). Accordingly, BKSA16 particles were subjected to a flame spheroidization process and recharacterized, including the evaluation of residual mass at 72 h in physiologically representative media along with clinical determinations of suspension time (ease of use). For both the irregular particles and microspheres residual mass was present at 72 h in physiologically representative media. Additionally, both the microspheres and irregular particles achieved suspension times deemed to be acceptable for clinical use. The collective data confirms that BKSA16 microspheres have a range of beneficial features (specifically both degradable and imageable) suited to GAE.