Abstract: There are provided methods of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material. In one embodiment the method comprises: (a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. Also provided are components comprising a polymeric material and a bioactive material.

Abstract: A dental implant comprises a composition which comprises a polymeric material which is preferably polyetheretherketone, and an apatite, for example a hydroxy-containing apatite. A prosthodontics device may comprise a dental implant made from polyetheretherketone, an abutment, also made from PEEK, and a crown, which is also made from PEEK by machining from a PEEK disc.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated or repaired dental framework is disclosed. Portions of dental framework formed of a polymeric material are provided with a male member on a joint surface of one portion and a female member on a joint surfaces of second portion, with the male and female members arranged to mate together to hold the portions together at the joint surfaces and then welded together by ultrasonic welding. Integrated dental frameworks formed by the method using sequential moulding of portions of a patient's mouth are also disclosed. Apparatus and methods for forming a dental prosthetic item such as a portion of such a framework, or a repair piece, by injecting a flowable thermoplastic composition into a mould under pressure, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a prosthetic dental item comprises selecting a block having a square or rectangular cross-section along is extent, wherein said block comprises polyetheretherketone and, optionally, an apatite, wherein said polymeric material has a crystallinity of at least 25%. The method comprises machining the block in dependence upon data collated using digital technology. Since the crystallinity of the material selected is high, a post-machining step whereby crystallinity is increased can be avoided, and dental items of high precision can be formed.

Abstract: A framework for a removable, partial or complete prosthodontic device is made by machining, using a CAD/CAM technique, a disc 2, made from polyetheretherketone, to define the framework 4. Prosthetic teeth and gums can be secured to the framework to define the prosthodontic device.

Abstract: A dental implant comprises a composition which comprises a polymeric material which is preferably polyetheretherketone, and an apatite, for example a hydroxy-containing apatite. A prosthodontics device may comprise a dental implant made from polyetheretherketone, an abutment, also made from PEEK, and a crown, which is also made from PEEK by machining from a PEEK disc.

Abstract: A framework for a removable, partial or complete prosthodontic device is made by machining, using a CAD/CAM technique, a disc 2, made from polyetheretherketone, to define the framework 4. Prosthetic teeth and gums can be secured to the framework to define the prosthodontic device.

Abstract: An upright column is packed with particles of a first material so the particles touch one another and a network of voids is defined between the particles. The network will be substantially continuous. A second material is then introduced into the column so the second material penetrates the network and fills the voids. The mixture of first and second materials is then consolidated using heat to melt the first or second material, while the other one of the first or second material remains in a solid state and acts as a space holder. Thereafter, the material which acts as the space holder may be removed thereby to leave a substantially continuous porous network defined by the material which was melted. It is found that, by use of the method, a substantially continuous network of the material which is melted can be formed and that the other material can readily be removed and/or is more easily removed compared to if a mixture of first and second materials was formed prior to packing in a column or mold.

Abstract: An upright column is packed with particles of a first material so the particles touch one another and a network of voids is defined between the particles. The network will be substantially continuous. A second material is then introduced into the column so the second material penetrates the network and fills the voids. The mixture of first and second materials is then consolidated using heat to melt the first or second material, whilst the other one of the first or second material remains in a solid state and acts as a space holder. Thereafter, the material which acts as the space holder may be removed thereby to leave a substantially continuous porous network defined by the material which was melted. It is found that, by use of the method, a substantially continuous network of the material which is melted can be formed and that the other material can readily be removed and/or is more easily removed compared to if a mixture of first and second materials was formed prior to packing in a column or mould.

Abstract: Topographical features, such as projections or recesses, having a maximum dimension which is less than 3 ?m, with the features being separated by a distance which is less than 10 ?m are transferred to polyetheretherketone, on an industrial scale, by injection moulding relatively low viscosity PEEK, using a mould in which is arranged a master structure which carries the desired topography. The topographical features increase the water contact angle of a surface which includes them and such a modified surface has been shown to influence cell attachment and differentiation. Parts which incorporate the topographical features may be used in medical devices such as implantable medical devices for cardiology or for neuromodulation.

Abstract: Granules or pellets comprising polymeric materials such as polyaryletherketones and ceramic materials may be prepared and used to make a variety of different parts of components for use in medical applications, by melt-processing. The ceramic material may be a bioactive glass and/or a controlled-release glass, and may include less than 20 mole % sodium oxide and/or be water soluble.

Abstract: There are provided methods of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material. In one embodiment the method comprises: (a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. Also provided are components comprising a polymeric material and a bioactive material.

Abstract: A titanium body (2) of a femoral nail incorporates an opening (3) leading into a hollow region (4) which defines a cavity in which electronics may be incorporated. A potting compound overlays the electronics, within the region (4). A 100 to 150 ?m thick cover (18) made from polyetheretherketone is arranged to overlay the opening (3) and close the hollow region (4). The cover (18) is made from flat polyetheretherketone film of suitable thickness which is heat shrunk onto a former and then machined to define the desired shape.

Abstract: An enclosure of an active implantable device comprises a composite material which comprises a first layer of a polyetheretherketone film, a second layer of polyetheretherketone film (8) and, sandwiched between, a third layer comprising titanium. The arrangement may be provided in various embodiments such as comprising housing halves (70,72) and a lid (74), each being made of the three layers described. In one embodiment, a communications window may be provided which has a thinner layer of titanium, to facilitate communications between the outside and electrical components positioned within the enclosure.

Abstract: Bioreactors and methods of using them to produce tissue engineered products or culture cells are disclosed, and more particularly on the development of a tissue and cell culture method based upon an expanded bed bioreactor in which an initial resting bed of particles on which or in which cells are attached, encapsulated or immobilised have a fluid passed upwards through the bed to form an expanded bed in which the fluid acts to separate the particles, i.e. under plug flow conditions to enable the relative positions of the particles to be maintained during the step of culturing the cells to form tissue and helps to reduce collisions between particles and turbulent flow or convective mixing.

Abstract: Granules or pellets comprising polymeric materials such as polyaryletherketones and ceramic materials may be prepared and used to make a variety of different parts of components for use in medical applications, by melt-processing. The ceramic material may be a bioactive glass and/or a controlled-release glass, and may include less than 20 mole % sodium oxide and/or be water soluble.

Abstract: Pellets or granules comprise polymeric material, for example polyetheretherketone and a fugitive material, for example sodium chloride. The granules may be used in injection moulding to produce shapes for use in medical implants and may conveniently be used to form parts which are partially porous, or to prepare porous films.