Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft tissue adhesive comprising an aqueous composition comprising ?-TCP and a phosphorylated amino acid. The composition has improved mechanical strength and is easily applied to the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition of a calcium phosphate such as tetracalcium phosphate or ?-TCP and an additive compound selected from nucleic acid or nucleotides, phospho(enol)pyruvic acid and phosphocreatine. The composition may be used as a tissue adhesive.

Abstract: A bone implant including a wire mesh support frame having a plurality of interconnected wire members and at least two fastening points in the form of retention eyelets connected to the support frame by at least one of the wire members, and a biocompatible plate formed about the support frame, the plate having a bore associated with each of the retention eyelets.

Abstract: The present invention is within in the field of ceramic material for biomedical applications. The present invention relates to a silicon oxynitride powder or an oxidized silicon nitride powder having the general chemical formula SixOyNz. The powder comprises 0.1-50 wt % oxygen, or 7-12 wt % oxygen, or 10-12 wt % oxygen. The silicon oxynitride powder according to the invention is suitable for anti-pathogen applications.

Abstract: Calcium and silicon are known to strengthen the formation of hair, skin and nails. The efficacy of oral intake of calcium and silicon is very difficult. Local delivery and uptake of the ions would enable more efficient strengthening of 5 nails, skin or hair. The invention relates to the addition of calcium silicate to products for local release of calcium and silicate to nails, hair and skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass ceramic material comprising a core-rim structure, wherein the core-rim structure comprises an amorphous SiO2 matrix, ZrO2 crystals, and hardness-enhancing additive, the ZrO2 crystals are present in cores that are at least partly surrounded by a rim comprising hardness-enhancing additive.

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: 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: 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: The present invention provides a material composition and a process of producing translucent ZrO2—SiO2 nanocrystalline glass ceramic (NCGC) with ultra-high flexural strength. The method comprises the following step: (1) prepare homogenous ZrO2-SiO2 nano-sized powder with high purity via a sol-gel method; (2) pressure assisted sintering of ZrO2-SiO2 nano-sized sol-gel powder to obtain translucent ZrO2-SiO2 NCGC. The invention also includes materials manufactured using the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for functionalizing a medical implant surface to promote osseointegration upon implantation in bone tissue.

Abstract: A bone implant including a wire mesh support frame having a plurality of interconnected wire members and at least two fastening points in the form of retention eyelets connected to the support frame by at least one of the wire members, and a biocompatible plate formed about the support frame, the plate having a bore associated with each of the retention eyelets.

Abstract: An implant for filling a bore hole in a bone includes: a biocompatible plate having upper and lower surfaces; and a support frame having a central portion located at least partially within the plate, an outer rim having a plurality of fastening points adapted for attaching the implant to bone surrounding a bore hole in which the plate is inserted, and a plurality of arms extending between the central portion and the outer rim.

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, and plant material (comprising the deliverable agent) located within voids in the carrier material. The device is operable to heat the carrier material and thereby heat the plant material, such as tobacco, to vaporise 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: 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: 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: The present invention relates to a composition of a calcium phosphate such as tetracalcium phosphate or ?-TCP and an additive compound selected from nucleic acid or nucleotides, phospho(enol)pyruvic acid and phosphocreatine. The composition may be used as a tissue adhesive.

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 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 cementitious 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a material composition and a process of producing translucent ZrO2—SiO2nanocrystalline glass ceramic (NCGC) with ultra-high flexural strength. The method comprises the following step: (1) prepare homogenous ZrO2-SiO2 nano-sized powder with high purity via a sol-gel method; (2) pressure assisted sintering of ZrO2-SiO2 nano-sized sol-gel powder to obtain translucent ZrO2-SiO2 NCGC. The invention also includes materials manufactured using the method.