Abstract: A spinal implant for replacing the natural nucleus of the disc made from a polymer such as hydrogel having a radiopaque material located within the polymer. The material may be in the form of a powder dispersed throughout the polymer or may be in he form of a powder dispersed in layers or in other specific locations within the polymer. The radiopaque material is metal such as gold, tungsten, titanium, tantalum or platinum. The metal may also be in the form of a foil or wire located within the hydrogel such as polyurethane, thereby making the implant visible on x-rays. Other polymers besides hydrogel may be used with the radiopaque material being dispersed therein.

Abstract: A calcium phosphate composition comprising at least one calcium phosphate mineral, at least one reaction retarding agent, at least one biding agent, and at least one sodium phosphate compound.

Abstract: A spinal implant for replacing the natural nucleus of the disc made from a polymer such as hydrogel having a radiopaque material located within the polymer. The material may be in the form of a powder dispersed throughout the polymer or may be in he form of a powder dispersed in layers or in other specific locations within the polymer. The radiopaque material is metal such as gold, tungsten, titanium, tantalum or platinum. The metal may also be in the form of a foil or wire located within the hydrogel such as polyurethane, thereby making the implant visible on x-rays. Other polymers besides hydrogel may be used with the radiopaque material being dispersed therein.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating having a therapeutic agent such as an antibiotic or a bone morphogenic protein such as OP-1 protein to an implant uses the high surface area of a calcium phosphate coated metal implant as a repository for the therapeutic agent. The implant is coated with one or more layers of calcium phosphate minerals such as hydroxyapatite. After the crystalline layer is applied, which is usually done within an aqueous solution, the implant is dried and packaged. Immediately prior to implantation, the implant is removed from the package and the crystalline layer of calcium phosphate is wetted with an aqueous solution containing the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method for controlling the formation of a hydroxyapatite bone filler from dry calcium phosphate precursors in an aqueous solution uses coated sodium phosphate powder. The sodium phosphate powder is coated with a water soluble cellulose. Until the cellulose dissolves in the aqueous solution setting of the calcium phosphate cements proceeds slowly but when the exposed sodium phosphate particles start to solubilize in the aqueous solution the setting rate increases.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating having a therapeutic agent such as an antibiotic or a bone morphogenic protein to an implant uses the high surface area of a calcium phosphate coated metal implant as a repository for the therapeutic agent. The implant is coated with one or more layers of calcium phosphate minerals such as hydroxyapatite. After the crystalline layer is applied, which is usually done within an aqueous solution, the implant is dried and packaged. Immediately prior to implantation, the implant is removed from the package and the crystalline layer of calcium phosphate is wetted with an aqueous solution containing the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A high strength hydrogel having a constant swelling pressure upon implantation and thereafter is formed by preparing a hydrogel solution and then injecting the solution into a mold and cause to gel. The molded gel is then washed in a saline solution from about one day to twelve weeks, after which the gel is irradiated for sterilization purposes, dehydrated and packaged. The pre-treatment with the use of a physiologic solution results in an implant which exhibits a constant swelling pressure profile after implantation.

Abstract: A high strength hydrogel having a constant swelling pressure upon implantation and thereafter is formed by preparing a hydrogel solution and then injecting the solution into a mold and cause to gel. The molded gel is then washed in a saline solution from about one day to twelve weeks, after which the gel is irradiated for sterilization purposes, dehydrated and packaged. The pre-treatment with the use of a physiologic solution results in an implant which exhibits a constant swelling pressure profile after implantation.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating having a therapeutic agent such as an antibiotic or a bone morphogenic protein such as OP-1 protein to an implant uses the high surface area of a calcium phosphate coated metal implant as a repository for the therapeutic agent. The implant is coated with one or more layers of calcium phosphate minerals such as hydroxyapatite. After the crystalline layer is applied, which is usually done within an aqueous solution, the implant is dried and packaged. Immediately prior to implantation, the implant is removed from the package and the crystalline layer of calcium phosphate is wetted with an aqueous solution containing the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A spinal implant for replacing the natural nucleus of the disc made from a polymer such as hydrogel having a radiopaque material located within the polymer. The material may be in the form of a powder disbursed throughout the polymer or may be in he form of a powder disbursed in layers or in other specific locations within the polymer. The radiopaque material is metal such as gold, tungsten, titanium, tantalum or platinum. The metal may also be in the form of a foil or wire located within the hydrogel such as polyurethane, thereby making the implant visible on x-rays. Other polymers besides hydrogel may be used with the radiopaque material being disbursed therein.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating having a therapeutic agent such as an antibiotic or a bone morphogenic protein to an implant uses the high surface area of a calcium phosphate coated metal implant as a repository for the therapeutic agent. The implant is coated with one or more layers of calcium phosphate minerals such as hydroxyapatite. After the crystalline layer is applied, which is usually done within an aqueous solution, the implant is dried and packaged. Immediately prior to implantation, the implant is removed from the package and the crystalline layer of calcium phosphate is wetted with an aqueous solution containing the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A kit and a method for making a porous cement which self sets to hydroxyapatite and has an interconnected porosity is produced by mixing a calcium source and a phosphate source with a carbonate source and mixing this powdered component with a liquid component having an acid component. The liquid component comprises water or an aqueous solution containing an acid. The acid and the carbonate react to form carbon dioxide thereby producing an interconnected porosity in the normally solid self-hardening bone cement. The method requires only a relatively low weight percent of the acid and base to be mixed with the liquid and powder cement components.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating having a therapeutic agent such as an antibiotic to an implant uses the high surface area of a calcium phosphate coated metal implant as a repository for the therapeutic agent. The implant is coated with one or more layers of calcium phosphate minerals such as hydroxyapatite. After the crystalline layer is applied, which is usually done within an aqueous solution, the implant is dried and packaged. Immediately prior to implantation, the implant is removed from the package and the crystalline layer of calcium phosphate is wetted with an aqueous solution containing the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing a liquid component and a powdered component to form a bone filler has first and second syringes each having a barrel, a plunger and an exit port. The plunger is moveable with the barrel of each syringe along a longitudinal axis of the barrel. An end portion of each plunger extends beyond the end of each barrel when the plunger tip is spaced from the exit port and can be activated to move the plunger tip toward the exit port. A mechanism for mixing the liquid and powdered components is operatively connected to each of the barrels and plungers of the first and second syringes so that the relative sliding movement of first and second parts of the mechanism simultaneously moves the plungers and barrels of the first and second syringes relative to one another to move the combined liquid and powdered components back and forth between the first and second syringe.

Abstract: A method for controlling the formation of a hydroxyapatite bone filler from dry calcium phosphate precursors in an aqueous solution uses coated sodium phosphate powder. The sodium phosphate powder is coated with a water soluble cellulose. Until the cellulose dissolves in the aqueous solution setting of the calcium phosphate cements proceeds slowly but when the exposed sodium phosphate particles start to solubilize in the aqueous solution the setting rate increases.

Abstract: A method for controlling the formation of a hydroxyapatite bone filler from dry calcium phosphate precursors in an aqueous solution uses coated sodium phosphate powder. The sodium phosphate powder is coated with a water soluble cellulose. Until the cellulose dissolves in the aqueous solution setting of the calcium phosphate cements proceeds slowly but when the exposed sodium phosphate particles start to solubilize in the aqueous solution the setting rate increases.

Abstract: A high strength hydrogel having a constant swelling pressure upon implantation and thereafter is formed by preparing a hydrogel solution and then injecting the solution into a mold and cause to gel. The molded gel is then washed in a saline solution from about one day to twelve weeks, after which the gel is irradiated for sterilization purposes, dehydrated and packaged. The pre-treatment with the use of a physiologic solution results in an implant which exhibits a constant swelling pressure profile after implantation.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating having a therapeutic agent such as an antibiotic to an implant uses the high surface area of a calcium phosphate coated metal implant as a repository for the therapeutic agent. The implant is coated with one or more layers of calcium phosphate minerals such as hydroxyapatite. After the crystalline layer is applied, which is usually done within an aqueous solution, the implant is dried and packaged. Immediately prior to implantation, the implant is removed from the package and the crystalline layer of calcium phosphate is wetted with an aqueous solution containing the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A kit and a method for making a porous cement which self sets to hydroxyapatite and has an interconnected porosity is produced by mixing a calcium source and a phosphate source with a carbonate source and mixing this powdered component with a liquid component having an acid component. The liquid component comprises water or an aqueous solution containing an acid. The acid and the carbonate react to form carbon dioxide thereby producing an interconnected porosity in the normally solid self-hardening bone cement. The method requires only a relatively low weight percent of the acid and base to be mixed with the liquid and powder cement components.

Abstract: A kit and a method for making a porous cement which self sets to hydroxyapatite and has an interconnected porosity is produced by mixing a calcium source and a phosphate source with a carbonate source and mixing this powdered component with a liquid component having an acid component. The liquid component comprises water or an aqueous solution containing an acid. The acid and the carbonate react to form carbon dioxide thereby producing an interconnected porosity in the normally solid self-hardening bone cement. The method requires only a relatively low weight percent of the acid and base to be mixed with the liquid and powder cement components.