Abstract: Bone tissue at the interface of a bone implant is shielded from stresses found in normal bone because of the higher stiffness or rigidity in the implant versus in bone. The resulting “stress shielding” of the bone by the implant eventually results in resorption of bone at the bone-implant interface and ultimately necessitates replacement of the bone implant. To overcome these problems, an implantable biomimetic prosthetic bone having a porous surface, a fiber-reinforced composite structure, and a polymer-based core is disclosed. The prosthetic bone is a good match for structure, stiffness, viscoelastic properties, specific weight and overall structure as real bone or host tissues adjacent to the prosthetic bone. The prosthetic bone may be formed as a total hip prosthesis.

Abstract: A tie layer for bonding a ceramic or metallic coating to a thermoplastic substrate is described. The tie layer comprises from 2 to 70% ceramic and/or metallic filler particles in a thermoplastic matrix. The thermoplastic matrix is compatible with the thermoplastic substrate. Further, a method of bonding a ceramic or metallic coating to a thermoplastic substrate is disclosed. The method involves applying the tie layer to the substrate, and bonding the ceramic or metallic coating to the tie layer using a coating process that consolidates the substrate, the tie layer and the coating. The tie layer and process are useful in coating implantable prosthetic bones, or coating industrial items used in automotive, aeronautical or medical industries.