Abstract: A physically stabilized biodegradable osteochondral implant includes a porous matrix element of a resilient material and blood coagulated in vitro in open pores of the element. Also disclosed is a method of manufacture of the implant and a method of restoring a damaged articular surface by use of the implant.

Abstract: Implant for reconstructing tissue of the musculo-skeletal apparatus selected by the group consisting of tendon, fascia, periosteum, ligament, muscle, includes a porous matrix or scaffold of a polymeric material having a tensile stiffness lower by 50% or more than the tensile stiffness of the native tissue it is intended to reconstruct.

Abstract: A biodegradable osteochondral implant comprises a porous top and a porous bottom section separated by a barrier impermeable to agents that have a detrimental effect on the regeneration of cartilage. The implant or its top section is of rotationally symmetric or parallelepipedal form and comprises a resilient polymer material such as polyurethane urea. Also disclosed is a corresponding sheet material from which implants can be excised, processes of manufacture of the implant and the sheet material, and a method for implanting the osteochondral implant in a recess prepared in a load-bearing surface of a joint.

Abstract: A method for preparing an open pourous polymer material, comprises forming of a polymer solution, addition of a porogen to the polymer solution and precipitation with water of polymer from the polymer solution, and the method then comprises removal of solvent and porogen from the polymer material wherein the precipitation is homogenous through that the water is in form of crystal water and that the crystal water is bonded to the porogen, wherein the porogen is a sugar hydrate. An open porous polymer material, a mixture comprising a sugar hydrate and a polymer solution, and a designed material, and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spacer member (1) is intended to be placed between the ends of the bones which are to be connected, one end of the spacer member being designed to form a joint surface against one of the bone ends (6,7). A joint-stabilizing connection (2,3) is arranged to connect the bones. The spacer member (1) is made of at least one tissue-compatible material.

Abstract: A spacer member (1) is intended to be placed between the ends of the bones which are to be connected, one end of the spacer member being designed to form a joint surface against one of the bone ends (6,7). A joint-stabilizing connection (2,3) is arranged to connect the bones. The spacer member (1) is made of at least one tissue-compatible material.

Abstract: Porous films for medical use are provided comprising linear block polymers of polyurethane and urea containing hydrolyzable ester groups which are spaced along the carbon chain backbone of the film predetermined distances, so that upon hydrolysis of the ester groups fragments of the polymer are formed which have a size which can be secreted from the body of a mammal, the porous film including pores having an average pore size of up to 600 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Biodegradable porous implants are provided which are biocompatible with humans and animals, and which comprise bundles of flexible threads, each of the bundles including a plurality of flexible threads, each of the plurality of flexible threads comprising from 50 to 500 filaments having a combined density of from 5 to 120 tex, each of the bundles having a twist of up to 120 revolutions per meter, and including weft threads holding together the plurality of bundles, the weft threads having a distribution density of up to about 100 threads per cm calculated in the longitudinal direction of the flexible threads.

Abstract: Implants are disclosed for use in humans having a rigidity comparable to human bone comprising polyurethane with hydrolysable ester linkages which are spaced apart to provide hydrolysis fragments which are sufficiently small to be resorbed in the human body, the polyurethane comprising a network polymer which is substantially free of urea groups. Methods for the production of such implants are also disclosed.