Abstract: The invention relates to a bone filler comprising calcium salt particles, an organic binder having an affinity for calcium phosphate, cells chosen from the group of stem cells, osteogenic cells, and osteoprogenitor cells, and a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer. A great advantage of a bone filler, according to the invention, is that it is an injectable formulation that allows for its introduction in an osseous defect through the needle of a syringe.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of preparing porous metals, as well as to these porous metals per se. More in particular the invention is directed to the use of these porous metals in the preparation of medical items, such as implants. The invention further relates to a method of providing a porous metal coating on a substrate, in particular on the surface of a medical item, such as an implant or scaffold for tissue engineering. According to the method of the invention, a polymeric foam is impregnated with a slurry of metal particles, such as titanium, tantalum, titanium alloy or tantalum alloy particles. The impregnated foam is subsequently dried and subjected to pyrolysis and subsequent sintering. Due to the presence of metal hydrides, the formation of undesired compounds, such as metal oxides or nitrides, is avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a culture medium for culturing cells, in particular human cells in a process for tissue engineering bone. The medium comprises glucose, a mineral, a vitamin, a growth factor and L-glutamine, wherein the L-glutamine is present in a concentration of at least 300 mg/L.

Abstract: A plug for insertion into a bone canal is disclosed. The plug comprises an elongate central body of substantially constant cross section carrying at least four radially extending flanges of substantially equal shape and size. The flanges form solid, disk-like structures, free of cuts and are axially spaced along the central axis of the body, such that they extend in substantially parallel planes. The plug is made of a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol terephthalate and an aromatic polyester.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining in vitro the capacity of a cell population to induce bone formation in vivo comprising the steps of: a) providing a sample of a cell population; b) dividing said sample into a first and a second part containing an equal number of cells; c) culturing the first part in the presence of an osteogenic stimulation factor; d) culturing the second part in the absence of an osteogenic stimulation factor; e) determining degrees of expression of a bone-specific protein; and f) comparing the degrees of expression of the bone-specific protein of the first part and the second part thereby providing a measure for the capacity of the bone cell population to induce bone formation in vivo.

Abstract: A plug for insertion into a bone canal is disclosed. The plug comprises an elongate central body of substantially constant cross section carrying at least four radially extending flanges of substantially equal shape and size. The flanges form solid, disk-like structures, free of cuts and are axially spaced along the central axis of the body, such that they extend in substantially parallel planes. The plug is made of a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol terephthalate and an aromatic polyester.

Abstract: A biodegradable, biocompatible porous matrix as a scaffold for tissue engineering cartilage is formed of a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol and an aromatic polyester such as a polyethylene glycol/polybutylene terephtalate copolymer. A ceramic coating such as a calcium phosphate coating may be provided on the scaffold by soaking the scaffold in a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions. A composite scaffold which may be used as an implant is preferably a two-layer system may be formed having an outer surface of a layer of the porous matrix formed of the copolymer, and an outer surface of a layer of a ceramic material. The composite scaffold may be prepared by casting the copolymer on top of the ceramic material in a mould. Cells are preferably seeded on the scaffold prior to implanting, and the scaffold may contain bioactive agents that are released on degradation of the scaffold in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coating a medical implant, wherein the implant is submersed in an aqueous solution of magnesium, calcium and phosphate ions through which a gaseous weak acid is passed, the solution is degassed, and the coating is allowed to precipitate onto the implant. The invention further relates to a medical implant coated in said method and to a device for use in said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for molding a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol terephthalate and an aromatic ester, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a solution of the copolymer in a suitable first solvent; and b) forming a gel of the solution.

Abstract: A biodegradable, biocompatible porous matrix as a scaffold for tissue engineering cartilage is formed of a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol and an aromatic polyester such as a polyethylene glycol/polybutylene terephtalate copolymer. A ceramic coating such as a calcium phosphate coating may be provided on the scaffold by soaking the scaffold in a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions. A composite scaffold which is preferably a two-layer system may be formed having an outer surface of a layer of the porous matrix formed of the copolymer, and an outer surface of a layer of a ceramic material. The composite scaffold may be prepared by casting the copolymer on top of the ceramic material in a mould. Cells are preferably seeded on the scaffold prior to implanting, and the scaffold may contain bioactive agents that are released on degradation of the scaffold in vivo.

Abstract: A biodegradable, biocompatible porous matrix as a scaffold for tissue engineering cartilage is formed of a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol and an aromatic polyester such as a polyethylene glycol/polybutylene terephtalate copolymer. A ceramic coating such as a calcium phosphate coating may be provided on the scaffold by soaking the scaffold in a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions. A composite scaffold which is preferably a two-layer system may be formed having an outer surface of a layer of the porous matrix formed of the copolymer, and an outer surface of a layer of a ceramic material. The composite scaffold may be prepared by casting the copolymer on top of the ceramic material in a mould. Cells are preferably seeded on the scaffold prior to implanting, and the scaffold may contain bioactive agents that are released on degradation of the scaffold in vivo.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a proteinaceous coating on a medical implant, comprising the steps of: submersing the implant in a first aqueous solution comprising a protein and magnesium, calcium and phosphate ions through which a gaseous weak acid is passed; degassing the solution; allowing a coating to precipitate onto the implant; submersing the coated implant in a second solution to redissolve the magnesium, calcium and phosphate ions and to obtain the proteinaceous coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to new biologically degradable aliphatic copolymers of the polyesteramide or polyesterurethane type. The invention further relates to a method for preparing the copolymers and to products which can be manufactured from the new copolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteoinductive biomaterial, which is based on a ceramic material and which has a total porosity of 20 to 90%, wherein macropores are present having a size ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 mm, and wherein micropores are present having a size ranging from 0.05 to 20 &mgr;m. The invention further relates to a process for preparing said osteoinductive biomaterial.

Abstract: The invention relates to a culture medium for culturing cells, in particular human cells in a process for tissue engineering bone. The medium comprises glucose, a mineral, a vitamin, a growth factor and L-glutamine, wherein the L-glutamine is present in a concentration of at least 300 mg/L.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suture comprising a copolymer of a polyethylene glycol terephtalate and a polybutylene terephtalate, which copolymer comprises 45-60 wt. %, based on the weight of the copolymer, of the polyethylene glycol terephtalate, and 55-40 wt. %, based on the weight of the copolymer, of the polybutylene terephtalate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a porous ceramic body, which process is based on a negative replica method. The invention further relates to a ceramic body obtainable by said method and to its use as a scaffold for tissue engineering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for molding a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol terephthalate and an aromatic ester, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a solution of the copolymer in a suitable first solvent; and b) forming a gel of the solution.

Abstract: A plug for insertion into a bone canal is disclosed. The plug comprises an elongate central body of substantially constant cross section carrying at least four radially extending flanges of substantially equal shape and size. The flanges form solid, disk-like structures, free of cuts and are axially spaced along the central axis of the body, such that they extend in substantially parallel planes. The plug is made of a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol terephthalate and an aromatic polyester.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial skin based on a copolymer of a polyalkylene glycol and an aromatic polyester, which skin has a thickness between 50 and 2000 &mgr;m, and which skin has an upper and a lower side, both having a macroporosity between 10% and 95%.