Abstract: The invention pertains to a biocompatible composition, suitable for use in soft or hard tissue augmentation, wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension containing a carrier fraction of ceramic particles of less than 15 ?m and an augmentation fraction of ceramic particles of at least 20 ?m. The ceramics typically comprise calcium phosphate. The composition is a may be used in soft tissue repair as well as hard bone replacement. It advantageously avoids the need for foreign body materials which are conventionally applied to stabilize augmentation suspensions.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a biocompatible composition, suitable for use in soft or hard tissue augmentation, wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension containing a carrier fraction of ceramic particles of less than 15 ?m and an augmentation fraction of ceramic particles of at least 20 ?m. The ceramics typically include calcium phosphate. The composition is a may be used in soft tissue repair as well as hard bone replacement. It advantageously avoids the need for foreign body materials which are conventionally applied to stabilize augmentation suspensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of improving the osteoinductivity of calcium phosphate materials, to calcium phosphate materials having improved osteoinductivity as well as bone (re)generation scaffolds produced therefrom and to the use of such materials and scaffolds in methods of treatment.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a biocompatible composition, suitable for use in soft or hard tissue augmentation, wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension containing a carrier fraction of ceramic particles of less than 15 &mgr;m and an augmentation fraction of ceramic particles of at least 20 &mgr;m. The ceramics typically comprise calcium phosphate. The composition is a may be used in soft tissue repair as well as hard bone replacement. It advantageously avoids the need for foreign body materials which are conventionally applied to stabilize augmentation suspensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of improving the osteoinductivity of calcium phosphate materials, to calcium phosphate materials having improved osteoinductivity as well as bone (re)generation scaffolds produced therefrom and to the use of such materials and scaffolds in methods of treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medical devices. More in particular, the invention relates to a method for coating by depositing inorganic ions and a bioactive agent to provide sterile medical devices, wherein said coating improves the biocompatibility and/or bioactivity of a medical device, such as an orthopedic or dental prosthesis. Furthermore, the invention relates to a medical device coated with a method according to the invention and to a reactor for use in a method according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medical devices. More in particular, the invention relates to a method for coating by depositing inorganic ions and a bioactive agent to provide sterile medical devices, wherein said coating improves the biocompatibility and/or bioactivity of a medical device, such as an orthopedic or dental prosthesis. Furthermore, the invention relates to a medical device coated with a method according to the invention and to a reactor for use in a method according to the invention.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 provides an implantable device coated with a layer of calcium phosphate and optionally one or more biologically active substances such as growth factors, lipis, (lipo)polysaccharides, hormones, proteins, antibiotics or cytostatics. The device can be obtained by a nanotechnology process comprising subjecting a substrate to a surface treatment until a surface roughness with an average peak distance (Ra value) between 10 and 1,000 nm and subjecting the roughened surface to precipitation of calcium phosphate from a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions with optional coprepitation of the biologically active substance.

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 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 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 provides an implantable device coated with a layer of calcium phosphate and optionally one or more biologically active substances such as growth factors, lipids, (lipo)polysaccharides, hormones, proteins, antibiotics or cytostatics. The device can be obtained by a nanotechnology process comprising subjecting a substrate to a surface treatment until a surface roughness with an average peak distance (Ra value) between 10 and 1,000 nm and subjecting the roughened surface to precipitation of calcium phosphate from a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions with optional coprecipitation of the biologically active substance.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable device coated with a layer of calcium phosphate and optionally one or more biologically active substances such as growth factors, lipis, (lipo)polysaccharides, hormones, proteins, antibiotics or cytostatics. The device can be obtained by a nanotechnology process comprising subjecting a substrate to a surface treatment until a surface roughness with an average peak distance (Ra value) between 10 and 1,000 nm and subjecting the roughened surface to precipitation of calcium phosphate from a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions with optional coprepitation of the biologically active substance.