Abstract: Porous bioabsorbable, bioactive and load-bearing composite medical device structure includes a plurality of regular textile planar layers (1a, 1b . . . ) formed of continuous bioabsorbable polymer matrix and bioceramic fibers acting as reinforcements, both included in continuous fibrous elements (3) forming the textile layers. The layers are placed on top of each other to form a structure having two dimensions (x, y) at right angles to each other according to the two dimensions of the textile layer and a third dimension (z) perpendicular to them and resulting from the piling of the layers. A plurality of passages extend through the layers as a result of the openings (2) defined by portions of the continuous fibrous elements (3) extending substantially in the direction of the plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioabsorbable and bioactive composite material for surgical musculoskeletal applications comprising a bioabsorbable polymeric matrix material which is reinforced with bioabsorbable polymeric fibers and bioabsorbable ceramic fibers. The surgical bioabsorbable polymeric matrix material is reinforced with the bioabsorbable polymeric fibers and the bioabsorbable ceramic fibers from which at least a portion is longer than 150 ?m. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a bioabsorbable and bioactive composite material.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the drug release rate from a composite material. The composite material includes a synthetic, bioabsorbable polymer matrix and a drug particle phase dispersed therein. The release rate of the drug from the polymer matrix is enhanced by orienting the composite material. The drug release rate of the oriented composite material is greater than the drug release rate from an otherwise comparable non-oriented composite material.

Abstract: Bone fixation or augmentation in a mammalian body to enhance the mechanical strength of a fracture is provided by reinforcement fixing bone ends together using the implant device. A resorbable device can be rendered anti-osteolytic by incorporating materials such as bisphosphonates. It can also be rendered osteoconductive by the incorporation of an osteoconductive material such as bioactive glass or TCP. The implant device has a matrix as one phase, where the matrix is made of a bioresorbable polymer. One phase of the implant is made from self-reinforcing elements and the matrix contains an antiosteolytic agent component. The implant contains further osteoconductive and/or osteoconductive material.

Abstract: Porous bioabsorbable, bioactive and load-bearing composite medical device structure includes a plurality of regular textile planar layers (1a, 1b . . . ) formed of continuous bioabsorbable polymer matrix and bioceramic fibers acting as reinforcements, both included in continuous fibrous elements (3) forming the textile layers. The layers are placed on top of each other to form a structure having two dimensions (x, y) at right angles to each other according to the two dimensions of the textile layer and a third dimension (z) perpendicular to them and resulting from the piling of the layers. A plurality of passages extend through the layers as a result of the openings (2) defined by portions of the continuous fibrous elements (3) extending substantially in the direction of the plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic, bioabsorbable polymer materials and implants, like fibres, sutures, meshes and other tissue management, wound closure or tissue engineering devices, which contain: a) a bioabsorbable polymeric matrix; b) antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory agent particles or mixture thereof, dispersed in the matrix, and c) optionally an additive agent to facilitate device recognition and/or handling to facilitate the use and application of finalized product. In the matrix, cavities around the particles are induced by mechanical processing of the matrix phase. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a device (suture) that provides a sustained release of antibiotic agent over several days to several weeks for the prevention or treatment of infection. The sutures may be effectively implanted into or in the vicinity of: 1) infected tissue, 2) potentially infected tissue, or in tissues where infection, should it occur, leads to disastrous consequences.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable implant or its part consists of a structure having a varying characteristic in at least in one direction defining a gradient corresponding this characteristic. The structure comprises bioabsorbable polymer and another substance within or next to said bioabsorbable polymer. The structure is constituted of a wound or folded blank (1) having a direction of variation (L) of a characteristic (Ch) which is at least one of the following: concentration of the other substance, species of the other substance, type of the bioabsorbable polymer, or porosity (size of openings in the blank), said structure having a winding axis or fold lines substantially perpendicular to said direction of variation (L). This results in said varying characteristic in the structure in said at least one direction defining the gradient and traversing superposed layers formed of sections of the blank (1) that are successive in said direction of variation (L).

Abstract: A method of enhancing the drug release rate from a composite material. The composite material includes a synthetic, bioabsorbable polymer matrix and a drug particle phase dispersed therein. The release rate of the drug from the polymer matrix is enhanced by orienting the composite material. The drug release rate of the oriented composite material is greater than the drug release rate from an otherwise comparable non-oriented composite material.

Abstract: A multifunctional biodegradable composite has: a) bioabsorbable polymer matrix phase (M) b) bioabsorbable reinforcing element (R), and c) bioactive tissue/cell reaction modifying agent (TRMA) dispersed in said bioabsorbable matrix phase and selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory drugs and statins. Said biodegradable composite may be in a surgical implant capable of acting as a drug-delivery implant.