Abstract: There is provided a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition comprising a solid, continuous network comprising an excipient with a high mechanical strength, which network also comprises pores, within which pores is interspersed a mixture of an active ingredient and a film-forming agent, characterised in that said pores are formed during the production of the composition. Compositions of the invention find particularly utility as abuse-resistant formulations comprising opioid analgesics that may be employed in the treatment of chronic pain.

Abstract: Injectable, ready-to-use two-paste cement-forming compositions comprise a first paste and a second paste. The first paste comprises a non-aqueous oil-based suspension of monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) powder, at least one surfactant effective to improve compatibility of the oil and the MCPM, and an organic acid, with an oil to MCMP powder weight ratio of about 0.2 to about 0.5. The second paste comprises an aqueous suspension of ?-tricalcium phosphate (?-TCP) powder and a gel-forming polymer, with a water to ?-TCP powder weight ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.5. The molar ratio of ?-TCP powder to MCPM powder is greater than 1. An article of manufacture comprises a first compartment in which the first paste is contained, and a second compartment in which the second paste is contained. The compositions are useful for bone repair or replacement.

Abstract: A transdermal drug administration device comprising a drug delivery element (10) defining a contact surface (12) for location, in use, against a patient's skin. The drug delivery element (10) includes a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition. The composition comprises a network of a carrier material having a high mechanical strength and an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is co-formedly interspersed within pores in the solid, continuous network of the carrier material.

Abstract: A cement system for forming an implant comprises a reactive glass ionomer cement (GIC) powder, a polycarboxylic acid or salt, and a filler. The polycarboxylic acid or salt is included to initially provide a paste having a pH less than 7 when the cement system is mixed with water. In one embodiment, the filler is substantially inert when mixed with water and is selected from (CaO)(AI2O3)6, (CaO)(AI2O3)2, calcium silicate (CaOSiO2), and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the filler is substantially reactive when mixed with water and is selected from (CaO)2(SiO2), (CaO)3(SiO2), and mixtures thereof, and the cement system includes an additional acid to maintain the paste at a pH less than 7 for at least one hour after the cement system is mixed with water.

Abstract: A transdermal drug administration device comprising a drug delivery element (10) defining a contact surface (12) for location, in use, against a patient's skin. The drug delivery element (10) includes a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition. The composition comprises a network of a carrier material having a high mechanical strength and an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is co-formedly interspersed within pores in the solid, continuous network of the carrier material.

Abstract: There is provided an inhalation device for delivering a deliverable agent in the form of an aerosol or vapor to a user. The device comprises a solid, porous carrier material having a defined porosity, and a deliverable agent located within the pores of the carrier material. The device is operable to heat the carrier material and vaporize the deliverable agent. Deliverable agents that may be delivered to the user include nicotine. Suitable materials for the porous carrier material include chemically bonded ceramic materials and geopolymeric materials.

Abstract: There is provided an inhalation device for delivering a deliverable agent in the form of an aerosol or vapour to a user. The device comprises a solid, porous carrier material having a defined porosity, and a deliverable agent located within the pores of the carrier material. The device is operable to heat the carrier material and vaporise the deliverable agent. Deliverable agents that may be delivered to the user include active pharmaceutical ingredients. Suitable materials for the porous carrier material include chemically bonded ceramic materials and geopolymeric materials.

Abstract: A bone implant including a wire mesh support frame (120A) having a plurality of interconnected wire members and at least two fastening points in the form of retention eyelets (140A) connected to the support frame by deformable retention arms (138A), and a biocompatible plate (112) formed about the support frame, the plate having at least two open cavities (116) therein, wherein each of the retention arms extends out of the plate from or into one of the open cavities. A method for correcting a bone defect in a patient, a mesh support frame for use in a bone implant, and a method of fabricating a bone implant are also provided.

Abstract: The object is the invention is to provide hollow, and preferably porous, spherical CaP particles preferably without the use of strontium ions. This is achieved by a method comprising the steps: a) Providing an aqueous buffer solution of purified water having a pH of 6-10 comprising 20-200 mM sodium ions, 0.1-10 mM potassium ions and 1-10 mM phosphate ions, and wherein the buffer solution is essentially free from strontium; b) adding calcium ions in the range of from 0.1 to less than 2 mM, and magnesium ions in the range of 0.01-5 mM to the buffer solution and forming a mixture; c) heating the mixture of step b) at 60-200° C. for at least 5 minutes d) isolating the formed particles; and e) optionally washing the isolated particles using a suitable solvent. The particles comprise 40-70 weight % of calcium, 20-40 weight % of phosphate and 1-25 weight % magnesium. The Ca/P weight ratio is in the range of 1.10 to 1.90 and more than 80 % of the particles have a particle size between 200 to 1500 nm.

Abstract: An implant comprises a substrate and a coating on a surface of the substrate, and the coating includes silicon nitride and has a thickness of from about 1 to about 15 micrometer wherein the silicon nitride coating has a composition defined by SixNyWz, where W is C, H and/or O, 2<x<4, 3<y<5, and z is such that the coating contains less than 20 atomic percent of C, H and O.

Abstract: A calcium phosphate apatite cement-forming composition comprises an apatite-forming calcium-based precursor powder and from 1 to 30 wt %, based on the weight of the precursor powder, of dicalcium pyrophosphate powder or or sodium pyrophosphate powder. Apatite cements formed form such compositions may be used in implants for correcting bone defects. Methods for bone defect repair employ implants formed from such apatite cements and slow implant resorption and/or improve in vivo bone induction in a patient.

Abstract: A mosaic implant conformable to a curved surface, comprising first and second implant sections coupled along a beam portion extending across a length of the implant, each of the implant sections having—a plurality of biocompatible mosaic plates, and—a plurality of wires which interconnect the plates with one another. The mosaic implant is configured to be deformable such that at least a portion of the mosaic implant is conformable to a curved surface, with the beam portion providing structural support which resists inward deformation of the curved portion of the implant. A kit for forming a mosaic implant is also provided, along with a method for correcting a bone defect in a patient.

Abstract: A calcium phosphate monetite cement-forming composition comprises a monetite-forming calcium-based precursor powder and from 3 to 30 wt %, based on the weight of the precursor powder, of dicalcium pyrophosphate powder. Monetite cements formed form such compositions may be used in implants for correcting bone defects. Methods for bone defect repair employ implants formed from such monetite cements and slow implant resorption and/or improve in vivo bone induction in a patient.

Abstract: An implant comprises a substrate and a coating on a surface of the substrate, and the coating includes silicon nitride and has a thickness of from about 1 to about 15 micrometer wherein the silicon nitride coating has a composition defined by SixNyWz, where W is C, H and/or O, 2<x<4, 3<y<5, and z is such that the coating contains less than 20 atomic percent of C, H and O.

Abstract: An implant comprises a substrate and a coating on a surface of the substrate, and the coating comprises silicon nitride and has a thickness of from about 1 to about 15 micrometer. A method of providing the implant comprises coating a surface of the implant substrate with the coating comprising silicon nitride and having a thickness of from about 1 to about 15 micrometer by physical vapour deposition.

Abstract: A mosaic implant (2010) comprises a mesh support frame comprising a plurality of polygonal support rings (2040 A, B, C) connected by a plurality of struts (2014), and a plurality of mosaic plates (2012). The support rings are positioned within the mosaic plates; the struts extend between adjacent plates. An implant (1510) for filling a bore hole comprises a plate (1512) and a support frame (1520) having a central portion (1522) located at least partially within the plate, a polygonal outer rim (1524) having a plurality of fastening points for attaching the implant to bone surrounding a bore hole, and a plurality of arms (1530) extending between the central portion and the outer rim. The plurality of arms extend inwardly and downwardly away from the outer rim such that the central portion is located below the plane of the outer rim and the upper surface of the plate is flush with or slightly above the upper surface of the outer rim.

Abstract: There is provided a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition comprising a solid, continuous network comprising an excipient with a high mechanical strength, which network also comprises pores, within which pores is interspersed a mixture of an active ingredient and a film-forming agent, characterised in that said pores are formed during the production of the composition. Compositions of the invention find particularly utility as abuse-resistant formulations comprising opioid analgesics that may be employed in the treatment of chronic pain.

Abstract: A cement system for forming an implant comprises a reactive glass ionomer cement (GIC) powder, a polycarboxylic acid or salt, and a filler. The polycarboxylic acid or salt is included to initially provide a paste having a pH less than 7 when the cement system is mixed with water. In one embodiment, the filler is substantially inert when mixed with water and is selected from (CaO)(AI2O3)6, (CaO)(AI2O3)2, calcium silicate (CaOSiO2), and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the filler is substantially reactive when mixed with water and is selected from (CaO)2(SiO2), (CaO)3(SiO2), and mixtures thereof, and the cement system includes an additional acid to maintain the paste at a pH less than 7 for at least one hour after the cement system is mixed with water.

Abstract: Refrigerated hydraulic cement compositions comprise a mixture of (a) ?-tricalcium phosphate powder, (b) monocalcium phosphate comprising monocalcium phosphate anhydrous (MCPA), monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), or a combination thereof, wherein a 0.1 g/ml saturated aqueous solution of the monocalcium phosphate has a pH less than 3.0, (c) non-aqueous water-miscible liquid, and (d) an aqueous hydrating liquid. The aqueous hydrating liquid is included in an amount of about 1-50 volume percent, based on the combined volume of the non-aqueous water-miscible liquid and the aqueous hydration liquid, and the refrigerated hydraulic cement composition is storage stable for greater than one day, without setting. Methods of forming hardened cements in vivo and/or for forming implants for use in vivo employ the hydraulic cement compositions.

Abstract: A method for making a porous, chemically bonded ceramic shaped article comprises i) providing a precursor powder mixture comprising polymer particles and a ceramic self-setting cementious powder; ii) preparing a shaped article from a paste comprising the precursor powder mixture and an aqueous liquid; and iii) immersing the shaped article in an immersing liquid in which the polymer particles are soluble, for a period of time of from about 10 minutes to about two weeks to dissolve the polymer particles in the immersing liquid, thereby creating pores in the shaped article. A porous, chemically bonded ceramic shaped article having interconnected pores, a total porosity of at least about 50%, and a macroporosity of at least about 30% can be formed by such methods.