Abstract: A bone biospecific agent comprises a contrast material core, which is visible using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT). The contrast material core is surrounded by a polymeric shell, which is functionalised with a bone-targeting peptide. In use, the peptide targets the biospecific agent to bone. The bone biospecific agent can be used in diagnostic imaging techniques, such as MRI and CT, and in imaging bone remodelling activities, detecting and treating pathological bone conditions and/or bone repair processes. The invention extends to the diagnosis and/or treatment of bone disease and bone pathologies using the biospecific agents.

Abstract: A bone biospecific agent comprises a contrast material core, which is visible using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT). The contrast material core is surrounded by a polymeric shell, which is functionalised with a bone-targeting peptide. In use, the peptide targets the biospecific agent to bone. The bone biospecific agent can be used in diagnostic imaging techniques, such as MRI and CT, and in imaging bone remodelling activities, detecting and treating pathological bone conditions and/or bone repair processes. The invention extends to the diagnosis and/or treatment of bone disease and bone pathologies using the biospecific agents.

Abstract: A bone biospecific agent comprises a contrast material core, which is visible using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT). The contrast material core is surrounded by a polymeric shell, which is functionalised with a bone-targeting peptide. In use, the peptide targets the biospecific agent to bone. The bone biospecific agent can be used in diagnostic imaging techniques, such as MRI and CT, and in imaging bone remodelling activities, detecting and treating pathological bone conditions and/or bone repair processes. The invention extends to the diagnosis and/or treatment of bone disease and bone pathologies using the biospecific agents.

Abstract: Dental implant with biomimetic osteointegrative interface has a substrate of biocompatible material with a first layer thereon, having a first concentration of oxide of the biocompatible material, enriched with a second concentration of phosphorus and with a third concentration of calcium. The ratio between the concentration of calcium and the concentration of phosphorus is greater than two and the biomimetic osteointegrative interface further comprising a second layer having a first surface in contact with the first layer, and a second surface, the second layer having a fourth concentration of oxide enriched with a fifth concentration of calcium and a sixth concentration of phosphorus, the fourth concentration being less than the fifth and sixth concentrations and the ratio between the fifth concentration of calcium and the sixth concentration of phosphorus being no less than three.

Abstract: Dental implant with biomimetic osteointegrative interface has a substrate of biocompatible material with a first layer thereon, having a first concentration of oxide of the biocompatible material, enriched with a second concentration of phosphorus and with a third concentration of calcium. The ratio between the concentration of calcium and the concentration of phosphorus is greater than two and the biomimetic osteointegrative interface further comprising a second layer having a first surface in contact with the first layer, and a second surface, the second layer having a fourth concentration of oxide enriched with a fifth concentration of calcium and a sixth concentration of phosphorus, the fourth concentration being less than the fifth and sixth concentrations and the ratio between the fifth concentration of calcium and the sixth concentration of phosphorus being no less than three.

Abstract: A method for the biomimetic treatment of an osteointegrative interface on a substrate of biocompatible metal of titanium, tantalum, or their alloys, includes performing a first anodic spark deposition (ASD) treatment of the osteointegrative interface in a calcium glycerophosphate solution, performing a second ASD anodic deposition treatment of the osteointegrative interface in a calcium hydroxide solution and performing an immersion of the osteointegrative interface in a potassium or sodium hydroxide solution.

Abstract: There is provided a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomaterial may be ceramic, metallic and/or polymeric. It will usually be in the form of a solid, but could be a semi-solid or hydrogel. There is also provided a method of making a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers, said method comprising adsorbing, grafting or synthesising in situ bi-functional semi-dendrimers onto the surface of a biomaterial. There is further provided a biomedical device which is coated with or formed from a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomedical device may be a medical implant, for example, such as a stent, artificial hip joint or replacement heart valve. FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a bi-functional semi-dendrimer structure suitable for biomaterial functionalisation according to the present invention.

Abstract: A method of producing a soybean-based biomaterial which is suitable for use in a biomedical product, the method comprising: defatting soy flour; either prior to or at the same time as, performing a solvent extraction; to produce a biomaterial comprising variable levels of soy proteins, carbohydrates and isoflavones. The resulting biomaterials have a range of biomedical uses and are particularly desirable because of their isoflavone content. Examples of biomedical products containing the biomaterials include wound dressings; scaffolds for tissue engineering; fillers or implants for use in surgery; temporary barriers for use in dental or surgical procedures or to prevent post-surgical tissue adherence; carriers for the delivery of drugs, bioactive peptides or plasmids; anti-inflammatory agents; coatings for wound dressings or for dental, medical, surgical or veterinary devices or implants; and compositions for soothing skin or gum irritation.

Abstract: A method for the biomimetic treatment of an osteointegrative interface on a substrate of biocompatible metal of titanium, tantalum, or their alloys, includes performing a first ASD anodic deposition treatment of the osteointegrative interface in a calcium glycerophosphate solution, performing a second ASD anodic deposition treatment of the osteointegrative interface in a calcium hydroxide solution and performing an immersion of the osteointegrative interface in a potassium or sodium hydroxide solution.

Abstract: An interface including a substrate of biocompatible material such as titanium, tantalum or their alloys having, on the surface of the substrate, a first layer having a first concentration of oxide of the biocompatible material, enriched with a second concentration of phosphorus and with a third concentration of calcium, the ratio between the concentration of calcium and the concentration of phosphorus being greater than two. The interface also includes a second layer having a first surface in contact with the first layer and a second surface. The second layer has a fourth concentration of oxide enriched with a fifth concentration of calcium and a sixth concentration of phosphorus. The fourth concentration is less than the fifth and sixth concentrations and the ratio between the fifth concentration of calcium and the sixth concentration of phosphorus is no less than three.

Abstract: There is provided a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomaterial may be ceramic, metallic and/or polymeric. It will usually be in the form of a solid, but could be a semi-solid or hydrogel. There is also provided a method of making a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers, said method comprising adsorbing, grafting or synthesising in situ bi-functional semi-dendrimers onto the surface of a biomaterial. There is further provided a biomedical device which is coated with or formed from a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomedical device may be a medical implant, for example, such as a stent, artificial hip joint or replacement heart valve. FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a bi-functional semi-dendrimer structure suitable for biomaterial functionalisation according to the present invention.

Abstract: A biomimetic osteointegrative interface comprising a substrate of biocompatible material such as titanium, tantalum or their alloys comprising, on the surface of the substrate, a first layer having a first concentration of oxide of the biocompatible material, enriched with a second concentration of phosphorus and with a third concentration of calcium, the ratio between the concentration of calcium and the concentration of phosphorus being greater than two. The biomimetic osteointegrative interface further comprises a second layer having a first surface in contact with the first layer and a second surface. The second layer has a fourth concentration of oxide enriched with a fifth concentration of calcium and a sixth concentration of phosphorus. The fourth concentration is less than the fifth and sixth concentrations and the ration between the fifth concentration of calcium and the sixth concentration of phosphorus is no less than three.

Abstract: A prosthesis or implant has a surface carrying a coating comprising at least one phospholipid at a concentration to improve osteointegration. A method of making such a prosthesis or implant and a kit comprising a prosthesis or implant is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides thermoplastic materials for biomedical applications through the processing of soybean de-fatted Tofu cheese. The material films show a relatively high degree of water uptake from the dry state as well as good tensile strength and elastic modulus when tested in wet conditions. The materials minimise in vitro the humoral and cell-mediated inflammatory response, promote the formation of calcium phosphate crystals and undergo a slow degradation in buffer systems. Adhesion and proliferation of tissue cells are favoured by this natural composite material.

Abstract: A prosthesis or implant has a surface carrying a coating comprising at least one phospholipid at a concentration to improve osteointegration. A method of making such a prosthesis or implant and a kit comprising a prosthesis or implant is also described.