Abstract: The present invention provides a new metal or metal oxide porous material and a preparation method thereof, and more particularly concerns a new sponge-shaped noble metal, especially a silver porous material that is useful as a catalyst for an organic synthetic reaction such as an epoxidation reaction and partial oxidation reaction, and a functional material for electronic devices, heat dissipation and bacterial filtration and a preparation method thereof, as well as such a new silver catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-component, bio-degradable/absorbable adhesive medical material, which has a bonding component comprising a biodegradable polymer, and a hardening component comprising a low-molecular-weight derivative prepared by modifying a carboxyl group in a di- or tri-carboxylic acid of the citric acid cycle, with an electron-attracting group (one or a combination of two or more selected from the group consisting of a succinimidyl group, a sulfosuccinimidyl group, a maleimidyl group, a phthalimidyl group, an imidazolyl group, a nitrophenyl group and a tresyl group, and derivatives thereof).

Abstract: This invention provides novel composite biomaterials having excellent bioadaptability and bone inductivity and a process for producing the same. The composite biomaterials comprise hydroxyapatite, collagen, and alginate and have microporous structures in which the c-axis of the hydroxyapatite is oriented along the collagen fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a scaffold consisting of a biodegradable polymeric material with a composition gradient of calcium phosphate that is capable of effectively regenerating the hard/soft tissue interface and an implant for hard/soft tissue filling with the utilization of such scaffold.

Abstract: Sustained release microparticles suitable for various types of drugs, or drug-containing sustained release microparticles capable of sustained release of drugs over a period of three days or more and capable of inhibiting initial burst release; a process for producing the same; and preparations containing the microparticles are disclosed. The drug-containing sustained release microparticles comprise a drug other than human growth hormone and a porous apatite derivative, and optionally include a water-soluble bivalent metal compound.

Abstract: The crosslinking agents and condensing agents that have been employed in biological adhesives and in treating medical devices such as cardiac valves are non-natural compounds synthesized artificially. Thus, they are not metabolized in vivo and exhibit toxicity to living bodies. These compounds are thus used only in a restricted amount and for limited purposes in the clinical sites. The present invention provides a biological low-molecular-weight derivative obtained by modifying carboxyl groups of a biological low-molecular-weight compound with N-hydroxysuccinimide, N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide, or a derivative thereof and a crosslinked high-molecular-weight product obtained by crosslinking various high-molecular-weight compounds with this derivative.

Abstract: A current sensor which constitutes an overload protection apparatus and senses a current supplied from a power source to a load is constituted by providing a magnetic sensor having the effect of magnetic impedance (MI), an AC supply means which impresses AC on this sensor, a bias current supply means which supplies a bias current to a bias coil, a peak sensing means which senses the peak or a change in impedance of the magnetic sensor as a change in voltage, and a switch which selects the output of the peak sensing means in accordance with each phase. A holding means which holds switch outputs one after another and an amplification means are provided in common to enable current sensing for each phase. Thus, a range of current sensing is enlarged to reduce power consumption and cost.

Abstract: An over-current protection device is constituted of a current detection unit for detecting a current from a power-supply source to a load having a magnetism detection element with a magnetic impedance (MI) effect, an AC-current supply device for supplying an AC current to the detection element, a bias-current supply device for supplying a bias current to a bias coil, a peak detection device for detecting a peak of impedance of the magnetism detection element as a variation of voltage, and a switch corresponding to a phase for selecting an output of the peak detection device. In the current detection unit, a holding device for holding a switch output and an amplifier are disposed in common for detecting the current in each phase, thereby expanding a current detectable range and reducing power consumption and cost.

Abstract: By rotating a cell-culture container while controlling the temperature and the gaseous atmosphere, cells are cultured under the application of hydrostatic pressure due to centrifugal force, and according to this cell culture, cells are efficiently activated and cultured while inhibiting dedifferentiation.

Abstract: A method for producing a cross-linked apatite/collagen porous body comprising the steps of gelling and then freeze-drying a dispersion containing an apatite/collagen composite and collagen to form a porous body, and further cross-linking collagen in the porous body, and a cross-linked apatite/collagen porous body produced by this method.

Abstract: A hydroxyapatite complex includes a hydroxyapatite sintered compact that is chemically bonded to a polymer-based material containing at least one functional group selected form a group consisting of an isocyanate group and an alkoxysilyl group, wherein: the hydroxyapatite sintered compact is reacted with the functional group of the polymer-based material. This arrangement allows manufacturing of a hydroxyapatite complex without a chemical pre-treatment of the hydroxyapatite sintered compact.

Abstract: Disclosed is an artificial vertebra having a bone-marrow regenerating function, comprising a hydroxyapatite (HAp)/collagen (Col) composite body formed by pressure-dehydrating a coprecipitate of hydroxyapatite and collagen to have a nanocomposite structure in which HAp particles are conjugated along a Col fiber while aligned each of the c-axes of the HAp particles along the Col fiber. The HAp/Col composite body is formed with a perforated aperture for allowing a blood vessel and an osteogenic cell to intrude thereinto. The present invention also provides a biodecomposable/bioabsorbable support for fixing an artificial vertebra, comprising a polylactic acid plate prepared by injection-molding molten polylactic acid and then extrusion-molding the injection-molded polylactic acid in such a manner that it is draw-oriented in a uniaxial direction. The plate has four corner regions each formed with a screw hole for fixing the plate to vertebral bodies.

Abstract: In a method for coating a calcium phosphate compound on a biotissue substrate or, particularly, in case the biotissue substrate is biotissue, there is provided a method for coating of biotissue substrate where the method causes no damage thereto, is very mild even to biotissues which are other than the biotissue to be coated and is able to form a uniform coat. A method for coating a calcium phosphate compound on a biotissue substrate by an alternate soaking method which is characterized in that, as the soaking solutions, there are used a solution containing a water-soluble calcium salt and borate and/or L-histidine and a phosphate solution.

Abstract: This invention provides organic/inorganic composite biomaterials constituted by composites of hydroxyapatite and collagen and having an average fiber length of 60 ?m or longer, and a process for producing the same in which the calcium ion and phosphate ion concentrations in the reaction vessel are optimized through regulation of the concentration of a starting material and the flow rate. The organic/inorganic composite biomaterials have mechanical strength and a biodegradation rate suitable for artificial bones through the introduction of crosslinking therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glycosaminoglycan-polycation complex as a matrix material for use in tissue regeneration, such as cartilage repair, and a preparation method thereof. The complex is synthesized by crosslinking glycosaminoglycan and polycation with a polyfunctional crosslinking agent under physiological conditions. In this method, the crosslinking agent consists of polyethyleneglycol having two or more electrophilic leaving groups (e.g. succinimidyl group or its derivatives) at the carboxyl terminal thereof, and the concentration of the crosslinking agent is in the range of 0.3 to 3 mM. According the present invention, the crosslinking reaction can be performed under physiological conditions to avoid conventional problems of adverse affect on cells (cell death) and the formation of a polyion complex (inhomogeneous precipitate) due to a crosslinking reaction in alcohol or water. Thus, the crosslinking reaction can be conducted in the presence of cells mixed to the glycosaminoglycan and polycation in advance.

Abstract: The alternate soaking apparatus for treatment of tissue materials has a plurality of chemical liquid containers, a treatment container for soaking and treating a tissue material, a plurality of liquid feed tubes for providing fluid communication between the corresponding chemical liquid containers and the treatment container to introduce the respective chemical liquids into the treatment container, a liquid discharge tube for discharging the chemical liquids in the treatment container, and control means for controllably opening and closing the liquid feed tubes and the liquid discharge tube to allow the plurality of chemical liquids to be contained in the treatment container individually and alternately.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for regulating the biodegradability of composite biomaterials comprising calcium salt (particularly hydroxyapatite) and collagen, improved composite biomaterials obtained via such method, and a method for increasing bone mass with the use of such composite biomaterials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a material for sustained chemical-release in vivo, which comprises a hydroxyapatite/collagen (HAp/Col) nanocomposite formed as a coprecipitate, and a chemical consisting at least one of a drug and a bioactive substance including a growth factor and a DNA enzyme. The hydroxyapatite (HAp) has a specific surface area in the range of 50 to 300 m2/g. The hydroxyapatite (HAp) and the collagen (Col) are combined in such a manner that the crystals of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) are oriented in the C-axis direction around the fibers of the collagen (Col). The chemical is carried on the surface of the hydroxyapatite (HAp), the surface of the collagen (Col) and in a hydrated water of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) and the collagen (Col). The sustained chemical-release material can be prepared in the form of a bioabsorbable capsule, or in the form of allowing in vivo administration by injection and in-vivo gelation after said administration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing porous and composite materials comprising steps of: freezing a complex containing at least one calcium salt selected from calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite and collagen, at least a part of which is gelatinized; and then lyophilizing the resultant. The porous and composite materials obtained by the method of the present invention have large pore diameters, high porosities, and adequate mechanical strengths and biodegradability. Thus, they are suitable for implants such as bone fillers, drug carriers for sustained-release, and the like.

Abstract: A current sensor which constitutes an overload protection apparatus and senses a current supplied from a power source to a load is constituted by providing a magnetic sensor having the effect of magnetic impedance (MI), an AC supply means which impresses AC on this sensor, a bias current supply means which supplies a bias current to a bias coil, a peak sensing means which senses the peak or a change in impedance of the magnetic sensor as a change in voltage, and a switch which selects the output of the peak sensing means in accordance with each phase. A holding means which holds switch outputs one after another and an amplification means are provided in common to enable current sensing for each phase. Thus, a range of current sensing is enlarged to reduce power consumption and cost.