Abstract: An improved porous ceramic biomaterial is disclosed in which a polymer such as polylactic acid is polymerized in situ to fill the micropores substantially without filling the macropores. The polymer reinforcement helps improve the strength of the implant while preserving its ability to support ingrowth of bone to help integrate the implant into its surgical environment.

Abstract: A porous mesh structure is prepared in sheet form having a unique arrangement of main and secondary troughs on a first surface, and openings extending therethrough. The arrangement of troughs and openings creates an elaborate matrix of pores when the sheet is layer on itself in a front to back manner. This arrangement of pores and support structure emulates certain cortical bone structures and is therefore very effective as an artificial bone material. In addition, the porous structure has significant other potential uses outside the medical field and can be effectively applied accordingly, based on its fundamental. structural attributes.

Abstract: A porous mesh structure is prepared in sheet form having a unique arrangement of main and secondary troughs on a first surface, and openings extending therethrough. The arrangement of troughs and openings creates an elaborate matrix of pores when the sheet is layer on itself in a front to back manner. This arrangement of pores and support structure emulates certain cortical bone structures and is therefore very effective as an artificial bone material. In addition, the porous structure has significant other potential uses outside the medical field and can be effectively applied accordingly, based on its fundamental structural attributes.

Abstract: A porous article comprising a three-dimensional network of interconnecting pores and a void volume between twenty and eighty percent. The porous article is manufactured using a specifically delineated mesh structure wherein the pore size, void volume and material properties are tightly controlled and easily varied. The resulting material is advantageously applied to several bio-medical applications, including reconstructive surgery and arterial replacement.

Abstract: Biomaterials useful for onthopedicanel dental applications is disclosed. These materials have a base portion of calcium carbonate and a surface layer of a synthetic phosphate such as hydroxyapatite. The base portion may be a calcium carbonate structure having three-dimensional interconnected porosity such as may be found in porous skeletal carbonate of marine life, e.g. coral porites skeletal aragonite, or it may be porous or non-porous granules of calcium carbonate.A method for making the biomaterials is also disclosed. The synthetic phosphate surface is made using a hydroconversion reaction with a soluble or solubilized phosphate such as ammonium dibasic phosphate ((NH4).sub.2 HPO4).

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing parts of arteries and other blood vessels preferably has an inner tube suitable for use as a vascular graft in combination with external longitudinal ribs and a surrounding wrap which provides radial and longitudinal strength and resistance to kinking. The ribs separate the wrap from the inner tube, providing spaces between the wrap and tube to allow the tube to expand and contact, thus promoting isocompliance of the prosthesis with natural blood vessels.

Abstract: Calcium phosphates useful as bone substitute material or for the manufacture of prosthetic devices have been prepared from calcium hydroxyapatite material which has a uniformly permeable microporous structure characterized by a substantially uniform pore volume in the range from about 10 to about 90% and by a pronounced three-dimensional fenestrate structure corresponding to the microstructure of the porous carbonate echinoderm or scleractinian coral skeletal material of marine life by reacting said calcium hydroxyapatite material which has a calcium to phosphorus atomic ratio of about 1.

Abstract: The invention comprises an assortment of plunger-type syringes for the surgical implantation of granular ceramic substances such as hydroxyapatite, whitlockite and alpha alumina during alveolar ridge augmentation and repair. The barrels of the syringes, which are inserted into the patient's periosteal and gum tissue, have various lengths and radii of curvature and various degrees of tip bevelling, such that the surgeon can select the barrel configuration that most closely complies with the contours of the particular alveolar ridge portion upon which the augmentation surgery is to be performed in a particular case. The surgery can thus be performed with fewer and smaller incisions, less tissue trauma, lower risk of accidental tearing and puncturing of tissue, and lower risk of infection than possible with the apparatus and methods known to the prior art.

Abstract: A material useful as a biomaterial for the manufacture of prosthetic devices and the like is provided by casting a suitable metal, such a Vitallium, into a hydroxyapatite and/or whitlockite investment with three-dimensional interconnected porosity. The resulting composite is finished to expose the investment in order to provide a superior surface for attachment to bone. The composite may be cast as part of the casting of metal prostheses such as hip joints or artificial teeth, in such a way that the investment is present in a thin layer at the desired bone attachment locations.