Abstract: A synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomedical material comprising gadolinium. The material may comprises a compound having the general chemical formula: Ca10?yGdy(PO4)6?x(SiO4)x(OH)2?c+y where 0<x<1.3 and 0<y<1.3.

Abstract: A synthetic osteoinductive porous biomaterial is provided comprising: a network of interconnected micropores, wherein the microporosity is 23% by volume or more; wherein the surface free energy of the biomaterial is 19 mJ/m or more; and the mean interconnection diameter and the mean interconnection diameter and the surface free energy are chosen to provide a permeability resulting from the micropores of 0.206 nm2 or greater and a capillary pressure difference in water of 3.7 kPa or more. The biomaterial contains hydroxyapatite and silicon.

Abstract: A synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomedical material comprising gadolinium. The material may comprise a compound having the general chemical formula: Ca10?yGdy(PO4)6?x(SiO4)x(OH)2?x+y where 0<x<1.3 and 0<y<1:3.

Abstract: A synthetic osteoinductive porous biomaterial is provided comprising: a network of interconnected micropores, wherein the microporosity is 23% by volume or more; wherein the surface free energy of the biomaterial is 19 mJ/m or more; and the mean interconnection diameter and the mean interconnection diameter and the surface free energy are chosen to provide a permeability resulting from the micropores of 0.206 nm2 or greater and a capillary pressure difference in water of 3.7 kPa or more. The biomaterial contains hydroxyapatite and silicon.

Abstract: A biocompatible material comprising a resorbable polymer matrix and at least one additive, wherein the resorbable polymer matrix comprises: (i) at least one non-random copolymer of poly (alkylene oxide) s, and (ii) at least one poly (alkylene glycol) polymer and/or at least one methoxypoly (alkylene glycol) polymer, and wherein the at least one additive is selected from solid particles, porous particles, hollow particles, polymers, inert fillers, bioactive compounds, color pigments and combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A bone replacement filler comprising a biomedical ceramic particulate, wherein the filler is able to flow without the application of an external shear stress or compressive force or under a relatively low shear stress or compressive force, but resists flow or does not flow when subjected to a higher shear stress or compressive force, and wherein at least some of the particles in the ceramic particulate have a micro-porous surface structure and/or a micro-porous sub-surface structure.

Abstract: A bone graft material is provided comprising granules of synthetic bone material, at least some of which have a solid coating comprising a blood-clotting agent. A device for delivering bone-replacement material to a an area to be treated is also provided, the device comprising: a chamber for containing bone-replacement material, wherein the chamber is pre-loaded and/or pre-coated on an interior surface thereof with a blood-clotting agent; means for introducing bone-replacement material into the chamber to contact the blood-clotting agent; and a means for delivering the bone-substitute material from the chamber to the area to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a silicate and carbonate co-substituted calcium phosphate material. The process comprises the steps of: forming a silicon and optionally carbon-containing calcium phosphate precipitate by an aqueous precipitation method involving preparing an aqueous solution comprising phosphate ions, silicate ions, calcium ions and optionally carbonate ions, wherein the ratio of Ca/P and of Ca/(P+Si) in the solution is maintained above approximately 1.67; and heating the precipitate in an atmosphere comprising carbon and oxygen to form a silicate and carbonate co-substituted calcium phosphate material. The present invention also provides a synthetic carbonate and silicate co-substituted hydroxyapatite material, as well as a biomedical material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic non-resorbable silicon-containing calcium phosphate biomaterial having a microporosity of 23% by volume or greater, wherein the surface free energy of the biomaterial is 19 mJ/m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a silicate and carbonate co-substituted calcium phosphate material. The process comprises the steps of: forming a silicon and optionally carbon-containing calcium phosphate precipitate by an aqueous precipitation method involving preparing an aqueous solution comprising phosphate ions, silicate ions, calcium ions and optionally carbonate ions, wherein the ratio of Ca/P and of Ca/(P+Si) in the solution is maintained above approximately 1.67; and heating the precipitate in an atmosphere comprising carbon and oxygen to form a silicate and carbonate co-substituted calcium phosphate material. The present invention also provides a synthetic carbonate and silicate co-substituted hydroxyapatite material, as well as a biomedical material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a silicate and carbonate co-substituted calcium phosphate material. The process comprises the steps of: forming a silicon and optionally carbon-containing calcium phosphate precipitate by an aqueous precipitation method involving preparing an aqueous solution comprising phosphate ions, silicate ions, calcium ions and optionally carbonate ions, wherein the ratio of Ca/P and of Ca/(P+Si) in the solution is maintained above approximately 1.67; and heating the precipitate in an atmosphere comprising carbon and oxygen to form a silicate and carbonate co-substituted calcium phosphate material. The present invention also provides a synthetic carbonate and silicate co-substituted hydroxyapatite material, as well as a biomedical material.

Abstract: A method for the production of a macroporous ceramic foam, wherein: (a) forming a ceramic slip comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of a ceramic particulate, an organic binder in a liquid carrier, and optionally one or more surfactants, wherein at least one surfactant is present if the organic binder does not function as a surfactant, and wherein the ceramic slip preferably has a viscosity in the range of from 15 to 200 mPas?1; (b) foaming the ceramic slip; and (c) heating the foamed ceramic slip at a temperature sufficient to substantially burn out the organic binder. The macroporous ceramic foam is suitable for use in biomedical applications such as synthetic bones, tissue engineering scaffolds or drug delivery devices.

Abstract: A biocompatible material comprising a resorbable polymer matrix and at least one additive, wherein the resorbable polymer matrix comprises: (i) at least one non-random copolymer of poly (alkylene oxide) s, and (ii) at least one poly (alkylene glycol) polymer and/or at least one methoxypoly (alkylene glycol) polymer, and wherein the at least one additive is selected from solid particles, porous particles, hollow particles, polymers, inert fillers, bioactive compounds, colour pigments and combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A delivery device for semi-solid implantable material such as synthetic bone graft substitutes. The device comprises a handle (1), a cylinder (2) extending from the handle and having an outlet at its distal end. A piston (23) is operated by a trigger (5) and is slidable within the cylinder to displace the material from the cylinder. The cylinder has a substantially constant inner diameter along its entire length such that the outlet has substantially the same inner diameter as the rest of the cylinder. When the trigger is fully depressed, a ratchet mechanism (14, 32) is disengaged allowing the piston to be pulled back to a starting position.

Abstract: A method for the production of a macroporous ceramic foam, wherein: (a) forming a ceramic slip comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of a ceramic particulate, an organic binder in a liquid carrier, and optionally one or more surfactants, wherein at least one surfactant is present if the organic binder does not function as a surfactant, and wherein the ceramic slip preferably has a viscosity in the range of from 15 to 200 mPas?1; (b) foaming the ceramic slip; and (c) heating the foamed ceramic slip at a temperature sufficient to substantially burn out the organic binder. The macroporous ceramic foam is suitable for use in biomedical applications such as synthetic bones, tissue engineering scaffolds or drug delivery devices.

Abstract: Biomedical materials and, in particular, to substituted calcium phosphate (e.g. apatite and hydroxyapatite) materials for use as synthetic bone.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a single phase magnesium- and carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite composition, which process comprises the steps of (i) preparing an aqueous solution containing CO32− and PO43− ions in the substantial absence of cations other than H+ ions; (ii) mixing the solution from step (i) with an aqueous calcium- and magnesium-containing solution or suspension; and (iii) collecting and drying the precipitate formed in step (ii); the ratio of (Ca+Mg/P) in the calcium- and magnesium-containing solution or suspension and the phosphorus-containing solution, when mixed together, being maintained at 1.67, or above. The product of the process is novel and comprises up to 0.5% magnesium and up to 1% of carbonate substituted into the hydroxyapatite structure and which does not contain Na+ or NH4+ ions, the ratio of (Ca+Mg/P) being greater than 1.67.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a single phase carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite composition, which process comprises the steps of (i) preparing an aqueous solution containing Co32− and PO43− ions in the substantial absence of cations other than H+ ions: (ii) mixing the solution from step (i) with an aqueous solution or suspension of a calcium compound; and (iii) collecting and drying the precipitate formed in step (ii); the ratio of Ca/P in the calcium-containing solution or suspension and the phosphorus-containing solution, when mixed together, being maintained above 1.67. The product of the process is novel with a Ca/P molar ratio of greater than 1.67 and comprises up to 5% by weight of CO32− ions substituted in the B site or the B and A sites of the hydroxyapatite structure, with at least 50% of the CO32− ions being substituted on the B site. This product does not contain Na+ or NH4+ ions.