Abstract: An implantable article including a biocompatible substrate and a bioactive strontium-substituted calcium phosphate ceramic apatite coating chemically bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the biocompatible substrate, wherein the strontium-substituted calcium phosphate ceramic apatite coating includes nanopores, nanocrystals and strontium ions, and includes a hexagonal crystal structure of apatite having a molar ratio of strontium ions to calcium ions of about 0.0001 to about 0.5, and the strontium ions inhibit bone resorption in vitro and enhance bone formation in vivo so that the implantable article exhibits enhance fixation and bone ingrowth in and around the implantable article.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preparing a metal substrate having a uniform textured surface with a plurality of indentations with a diameter in the nanometer and micrometer range. The textured surface is produced by exposing the substrate to an etching fluid comprising a hydrogen halide acid and/or an oxyacid, a chloride containing compound, and an oxidizing agent. The etching solution can be used at ambient temperature without damaging the metal elements on the substrate surface. This textured surface enhances adherence of coatings or cells onto the textured surface, improves the retention of proteins on the surface, and encourages bone in-growth.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a biomimetic coating on an implantable article is provided. The apparatus includes an outer reactor for containing a biomimetic coating solution and an inner reactor arranged within the outer reactor. The inner reactor is smaller than the outer reactor so as to define a space between the inner and outer reactors. The apparatus also includes a pump system for circulating the biomimetic coating solution. The pump system is arranged to operate in the space between the inner and outer reactors. The inner reactor includes a flow control system that is selectively operable to control the flow of biomimetic coating solution between the outer and inner reactors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing a metallic orthopaedic implant with a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness to facilitate acceptance of tissue and bone growth or apposition after implantation while maintaining the structural integrity of the orthopaedic implant. The invention also provides a metallic orthopaedic implant comprising a metallic body and metallic elements adhered to a portion of the surface of the metallic body to define a three-dimensional porous surface geometry, wherein at least some of the metallic elements have a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preparing a metal substrate having a uniform textured surface with a plurality of indentations with a diameter in the nanometer and micrometer range. The textured surface is produced by exposing the substrate to an etching fluid comprising a hydrohalic acid and a mixture of a hydrohalic acid and an oxyacid, a chloride containing compound, and an oxidant. The etching solution can be used at ambient temperature. This textured surface enhances adherence of coatings or cells onto the textured surface, improves the retention of proteins on the surface, and encourages bone in-growth.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preparing a metal substrate having a uniform textured surface with a plurality of indentations with a diameter in the nanometer and micrometer range. The textured surface is produced by exposing the substrate to an etching fluid comprising a hydrogen halide acid and/or an oxyacid, a chloride containing compound, and an oxidizing agent. The etching solution can be used at ambient temperature without damaging the metal elements on the substrate surface. This textured surface enhances adherence of coatings or cells onto the textured surface, improves the retention of proteins on the surface, and encourages bone in-growth.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preparing a metal substrate having a uniform textured surface with a plurality of indentations with a diameter in the nanometer and micrometer range. The textured surface is produced by exposing the substrate to an etching fluid comprising a hydrohalic acid and a mixture of a hydrohalic acid and an oxyacid, a chloride containing compound, and an oxidant. The etching solution can be used at ambient temperature. This textured surface enhances adherence of coatings or cells onto the textured surface, improves the retention of proteins on the surface, and encourages bone in-growth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for preparing and using porous, crystalline biomimetic bioactive compositions of calcium phosphate with at least one therapeutic agent. The bioactive composition has strong adsorption properties for therapeutic agents which adsorb to the calcium phosphate with a high affinity. The bioactive composition also provides a sustained release implant that can be used for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. This localized delivery of therapeutic agents, promotes repair, healing, or regeneration of hard and soft tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for preparing and using porous, crystalline biomimetic bioactive compositions of calcium phosphate with at least one therapeutic agent. The bioactive composition has strong adsorption properties for therapeutic agents which adsorb to the calcium phosphate with a high affinity. The bioactive composition also provides a sustained release implant that can be used for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. This localized delivery of therapeutic agents, promotes repair, healing, or regeneration of hard and soft tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable article, a method of preparing the same, and methods of modifying a ceramic-coated implantable article. The implantable article comprises a biocompatible substrate and a bioactive ceramic surface coating into which a biological agent is incorporated. The preparation and modification of an implantable article involve incubating a biocompatible substrate surface or pre-existing ceramic coating thereon with a composition comprising (i) a biological agent, (ii) calcium ions, (iii) phosphate ions, and (iv) a liquid carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing an implantable article with a bioactive strontium-substituted ceramic apatite coating. The method involves incubating a biocompatible substrate surface that is not coated with a calcium-containing compound with a composition comprising (i) strontium ions, (ii) calcium ions, (iii) phosphate ions, and (iv) a liquid carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a biomimetic coating on an implantable article is provided. The apparatus includes an outer reactor for containing a biomimetic coating solution and an inner reactor arranged within the outer reactor. The inner reactor is smaller than the outer reactor so as to define a space between the inner and outer reactors. The apparatus also includes a pump system for circulating the biomimetic coating solution. The pump system is arranged to operate in the space between the inner and outer reactors. The inner reactor includes a flow control system that is selectively operable to control the flow of biomimetic coating solution between the outer and inner reactors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing an implantable article with a bioactive strontium-substituted ceramic apatite coating. The method involves incubating a biocompatible substrate surface that is not coated with a calcium-containing compound with a composition comprising (i) strontium ions, (ii) calcium ions, (iii) phosphate ions, and (iv) a liquid carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing an implantable article with a bioactive strontium-substituted ceramic apatite coating. The method involves incubating a biocompatible substrate surface that is not coated with a calcium-containing compound with a composition comprising (i) strontium ions, (ii) calcium ions, (iii) phosphate ions, and (iv) a liquid carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing a metallic orthopaedic implant with a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness to facilitate acceptance of tissue and bone growth or apposition after implantation while maintaining the structural integrity of the orthopaedic implant. The invention also provides a metallic orthopaedic implant comprising a metallic body and metallic elements adhered to a portion of the surface of the metallic body to define a three-dimensional porous surface geometry, wherein at least some of the metallic elements have a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing a metallic orthopaedic implant with a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness to facilitate acceptance of tissue and bone growth or apposition after implantation while maintaining the structural integrity of the orthopaedic implant. The invention also provides a metallic orthopaedic implant comprising a metallic body and metallic elements adhered to a portion of the surface of the metallic body to define a three-dimensional porous surface geometry, wherein at least some of the metallic elements have a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable article, a method of preparing the same, and methods of modifying a ceramic-coated implantable article. The implantable article comprises a biocompatible substrate and a bioactive ceramic surface coating into which a biological agent is incorporated. The preparation and modification of an implantable article involve incubating a biocompatible substrate surface or pre-existing ceramic coating thereon with a composition comprising (i) a biological agent, (ii) calcium ions, (iii) phosphate ions, and (iv) a liquid carrier.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided to integrate with and support vertebrae in a vertebral column. The spinal implant includes a body and a mineralized, bioactive surface coating chemically bonded to a portion of the body. The coating includes a non-hydroxyl containing carbonated calcium phosphate bone mineral nano-crystalline apatite with chemically adsorbed water having a crystal size less than about 1 &mgr;m. The body of the spinal implant is ring-shaped and defines a central passageway.

Abstract: A bioactive bone mineral carbonated nano-crystalline apatite is chemically bonded to a variety of substrates, including implantable prostheses. This coating is applied uniformly to substrate surfaces of varying geometry and surface textures. It is firmly secured to the substrate and encourages rapid and effective bone ingrowth. The coating is applied by immersing the substrate in an aqueous solution containing calcium, phosphate and carbonate ions. Other ions, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, and silicate, may optionally be present in the solution. The solution is exposed in a controlled environment when it reacts with the substrate to form the coating.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided to integrate with and support vertebrae in a vertebral column. The spinal implant includes a body and a mineralized, bioactive surface coating chemically bonded to a portion of the body. The coating includes a non-hydroxyl containing carbonated calcium phosphate bone mineral nano-crystalline apatite with chemically adsorbed water having a crystal size less than about 1 &mgr;m The body of the spinal implant is ring-shaped and defines a central passageway.