Abstract: Undesired agents, which can reduce biocompatibility, can be selectively and substantially removed from implantable medical devices using methods of the present invention. Pressure and temperature of a supercritical fluid are adjusted to selectively remove one or more undesired agents from an implantable medical device perfused with the supercritical fluid. Treated implantable medical devices comprising at least about 75 wt % less of at least one undesired agent than the same device before undergoing a treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention, in a first aspect, is an annuloplasty ring comprising a relatively rigid hydrogel insert and a sheath enclosing the hydrogel insert, the sheath being constructed of a biomedical material. The hydrogel insert, prior to implantation, has a water content sufficiently low to provide a desired degree of initial rigidity within the annuloplasty ring. Following surgical implantation of the annuloplasty ring, the water content of the hydrogel insert increases as it absorbs water from surrounding blood and other physiological fluids, thereby increasing the flexibility of the annuloplasty ring. In a second aspect, the invention is a method of manufacturing an annuloplasty ring. The method comprises providing a relatively rigid hydrogel insert and enclosing the hydrogel insert in a sheath constructed from a biomedical material.

Abstract: A bone induction tray which acts as a structural support intimate contact with a bone to be repaired and participates directly in the reconstruction of a bone defect by providing direct chemical bonding with the bone and in the repair thereof. A suitable dimensionally formable fabric is selected which comprises a woven or non-woven mesh of fibers having pores between the fibers primarily for carrying an appropriate ceramic material therein. The fabric acts as a substrate support for a calcium phosphate biomaterial which is coated onto the fabric mesh such that the individual fibers of the mesh are completely coated and the pores in the mesh are completely impregnated therewith. Preferred bioresorbable fiber materials are the alpha-hydroxyacids such as lactic acid or glutaric acid. Preferred non-bioresorbable fabrics are typically polyamides, polyesters, or polyacrylics.