Abstract: The present invention relates to novel injectable aqueous suspensions of bio-active glass and dextrans for the repair of soft tissue or hard bone of mammals, especially in humans.

Abstract: Composites suitable for use as prostheses for attachment to soft tissues, such as cartilage, tendons, skin, tympanic membrane and gingiva, as well as to cancellous or trabecular bone, are based on combination of a polyolefinic binder with certain bioactive glass materials. The composites bond actively with soft tissues and are readily formulated achieve mechanical properties comparable to those of the soft tissue of interest.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing polypeptides from amino acids and/or peptides utilizing a novel reaction medium containing a hydrated silica entity containing silanol groups which function as an inorganic enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dye laser including a highly porous, consolidated silica sol-gel monolith having incorporated therein at least one laser dye, wherein the dye laser is substantially solvent free. The dye laser is prepared by immersing a highly porous, consolidated silica sol-gel monolith in a solution of at least one laser dye and at least one solvent until the solution enters the pores of the monolith to a significant degree to form an impregnated silica sol-gel monolith, and then drying the impregnated silica sol-gel monolith to vaporize substantially all the solvent present within the pores of the monolith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dye laser comprising a highly porous, consolidated silica sol-gel monolith having incorporated therein at least one laser dye, wherein said dye laser is substantially solvent free. The dye laser is prepared by immersing a highly porous, consolidated silica sol-gel monolith in a solution of at least one laser dye and at least one solvent until the solution enters the pores of the monolith to a significant degree to form an impregnated silica sol-gel monolith, and then drying the impregnated silica sol-gel monolith to vaporize substantially all the solvent present within the pores of the monolith.

Abstract: A process for producing sol-gel monoliths containing SiO.sub.2 by mixing water, a SiO.sub.2 precursor and ketomalonic acid to form a sol, gelling the sol, aging the gelled sol and drying the aged gelled sol. Optional additional ingredients that may be added in the mixing step include salts of non-precipitating transition metals such as copper and/or additional precursors such as precursors for B.sub.2 O.sub.3, Na.sub.2 O, Li.sub.2 O, TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A SiO.sub.2 /oxide powder composite made by preparing a sol containing SiO.sub.2 and optionally Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Li.sub.2 O, Na.sub.2 O, TiO.sub.2, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and mixtures thereof with oxide powder consisting of SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, Li.sub.2 O-TiO.sub.2, Li.sub.2 O-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -TiO.sub.2, .beta. spodumene crystals, .beta. eucryptite crystals, aluminum titanate, 68 SiO.sub.2 -21.4 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -5.7 TiO.sub.2 -3.8 Li.sub.2 O (mole %) and mixtures thereof having a size from about 10 microns to about 0.001 micron dispersed therein, gelling the sol to produce a monolithic SiO.sub.2 gel matrix having homogeneously distributed therein the oxide powder, and drying the monolithic SiO.sub.2 gel/oxide powder composite.

Abstract: An optical device made by treating, such as by a laser beam, a preselected portion of a silica gel monolithic body to obtain a density for the treated portion different from the density of the body.

Abstract: Sol-gel processing techniques are used to produce alkali-free bioactive glass compositions based on SiO.sub.2, CaO and P.sub.2 O.sub.5. By varying the SiO.sub.2 content, a range of hydroxyapatite production rates can be obtained; conversely, varying the time of exposure to actual or simulated in vivo solutions permits use of a range of allowable proportions of SiO.sub.2. The sol-gel derived compositions can be chosen to achieve target values for thermal expansion coefficient, elastic modulus and volume electrical resistivity.

Abstract: A method of producing doped, monolithic objects of silica in a wide variety of shapes which comprises impregnating a stabilized silica sol-gel monolith with a doping solution having therein a wide range of inorganic or organic dopants to achieve unique physical properties, such as specific optical absorption bands or scintillation properties.

Abstract: A composite made by preparing a SiO.sub.2 sol, mixing 20-90% by volume of SiC particulate with the SiO.sub.2 sol to form a slurry, casting the slurry into a mold optionally containing SiC weaves or mats, gelling and aging the cast slurry and drying to obtain a green body composite.

Abstract: Method and composition for repair of periodontal osseous defects based on particulate bioactive and biocompatible glass.

Abstract: Large sol-gel derived silicon-containing monoliths are prepared with the use of drying control chemical additives selected from the group consisting of glycerol, formamide, oxalic acid and acids of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.2(n-1) O.sub.2 N to control the ultrastructure of the gel solid and pore phases. Gelation, aging, drying, and densification of the sol-gel derived monoliths may be performed rapidly in tens of hours instead of tens of days without cracking, final densification at temperature of 800.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. or less being possible. The silicon-containing monolith comprises a ternary SiO.sub.2 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Na.sub.2 O system.

Abstract: Sol-gel monoliths containing SiO.sub.2 and optionally B.sub.2 O.sub.3, Na.sub.2 O, Li.sub.2 O, TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and mixtures thereof, and a transition metal having an atomic number from 21-28 made by mixing water, a SiO.sub.2 precursor, a non-precipitating salt of a transition metal and mellitic acid to form a sol, gelling the sol, aging the gelled sol, drying the aged gelled sol and densifying by heating to from about 500.degree. C. to about 1350.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an ultraporous SiO.sub.2 containing gel monoliths having a predetermined mean pore size with narrow distribution of the size of the pores around the mean. A SiO.sub.2 containing sol is prepared while simultaneously controlling and preselecting the temperature, time and nature of aging solution, and drying the resultant gel to obtain an ultraporous SiO.sub.2 containing monolith having a predetermined mean pore size from about 10 .ANG. to about 400 .ANG. with narrow distribution of the size of pores around the mean and the resultant article.

Abstract: Crosslinking polysilastyrene by mixing polysilastyrene with 2-15 weight % dicumyl peroxide and heating at 80.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. for 5 minutes to 5 days to produce crosslinking.

Abstract: A fluoride-containing bioactive glass composition suitable for bulk implant prosthetic devices and coatings for prosthetic devices, the bioactive glass compositions selected from glass formulations containing, by mole 46.1% SiO.sub.2, 2.6% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, 26.9% CaO and 24.4% Na.sub.2 O and glass formulations containing, by mole, 52.1% SiO.sub.2, 23.8% CaO, 21.5% Na.sub.2 O, 2.6% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 wherein, respectively, 30 to 50 molar percent and 40 to 60 molar percent of the CaO is substituted with CaF.sub.2. These fluoride-containing bioactive glass materials demonstrate high resistance to demineralization in physiological fluids as well as extensive apatite formation which shows a predominance of crystalline apatite of mixed phase character.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis is constructed of a bio-active bio-compatible glass. The prosthesis includes a substantially disc-like base member, one base surface of which is adapted to bond to the tympanic membrane, and a substantially cylindrical stem member projecting from the other base surface. The axis of the stem member is offset from the center of the base member and perpendicular to the base surface.

Abstract: Bioglass for medical and dental implants can be reinforced with metal fibers to improve strength and ductility. The resulting composites may be used as implants without need to be coated on a substrate. A method of producing the same comprises the steps of compacting and sintering an amount of metal fibers followed by impregnating the resulting porous fiber compact with molten bioglass.

Abstract: A prosthesis for cement-free bonding to bone comprising a metal substrate coated with a biologically active glass or glass-ceramic of uniform composition and thermal coefficient of expansion and free of flaws resulting from thermo-mechanical stresses, the glass coating being bonded to the metal substrate by ion diffusion of the interface wherein the thermal coefficients of expansion of the metal substrate and the glass or glass-ceramic coating are substantially different.