Abstract: Porous polymers having a plurality of openings or chambers that are highly convoluted, with each chamber being defined by multiple, thin, flat partitions are produced by a new gel enhanced phase separation technique. In a preferred embodiment, a second liquid is added to a polymer solution, the second liquid causing the solution to increase in viscosity. With sufficient polymer and second liquid present, the increase in viscosity can be up to that of a gel. The gel can then be shaped as needed. Subsequent solvent extraction leaves the porous polymeric body of defined shape. The porous polymers have utility as medical prostheses, the porosity permitting ingrowth of neighboring tissue. A second material may be incorporated into the chambers, thereby creating a microstructure filling the voids of the macrostructure.

Abstract: An implant for promoting accelerated wound healing. The implant comprises a non-flocculating fiber material, admixed with a settable fluid. The fiber component typically will have short fiber lengths, so as to avoid forming entangled masses or clumps when mixed with a fluid. In an embodiment, the fiber material is native collagen fibers and the settable fluid is an isolated blood fraction, such as platelet rich plasma and platelet poor plasma. The native collagen fiber retaining the native crosslinks of the source tissue and providing an architectural and structural scaffolding for advancing cellular infiltration. The wound healing implant will accelerate the bodies healing process, to provide better healing and less scar tissue of the wound site.

Abstract: Porous polymers having a plurality of openings or chambers that are highly convoluted, with each chamber being defined by multiple, thin, flat partitions are produced by a new gel enhanced phase separation technique. In a preferred embodiment, a second liquid is added to a polymer solution, the second liquid causing the solution to increase in viscosity. With sufficient polymer and second liquid present, the increase in viscosity can be up to that of a gel. The gel can then be shaped as needed. Subsequent solvent extraction leaves the porous polymeric body of defined shape. The porous polymers have utility as medical prostheses, the porosity permitting ingrowth of neighboring tissue. A second material may be incorporated into the chambers, thereby creating a microstructure filling the voids of the macrostructure.

Abstract: A bendable polymer tissue fixation device suitable to be implanted into a living body, consisting of a highly porous body, made from a polymer, the porous body having a plurality of pores, such that the device is capable of being smoothly bent, wherein the bending collapses a portion of the pores to form a radius curve, and the polymer fixation device is rigid enough to protect a tissue from shifting. Preferably, the polymer fixation device may be capable of being gradually resorbed by said living body. In one embodiment, the polymer fixation device consists of a plurality of layers distinguishable by various characteristics, such as structural or chemical properties. In another embodiment, the polymer fixation device may feature additional materials which serve to reinforce or otherwise alter the structure or physical characteristics of the device, or alternatively the additional materials serve to deliver therapies to the living being.

Abstract: A bendable polymer tissue fixation device suitable to be implanted into a living body, comprising a highly porous body, the porous body comprising a polymer, the porous body comprising a plurality of pores, the porous body being capable of being smoothly bent, wherein the bending collapses a portion of the pores to form a radius curve, the polymer fixation device being rigid enough to protect a tissue from shifting. In a preferred embodiment the polymer fixation device may be capable of being gradually resorbed by said living body. In one embodiment, the polymer fixation device comprises a plurality of layers distinguishable by various characteristics, such as structural or chemical properties. In another embodiment, the polymer fixation device may comprise additional materials; the additional materials serving to reinforce or otherwise alter the structure or physical characteristics of the device, or alternatively as a method of delivering therapy or other agents to the system of a living being.

Abstract: Improved coring devices suitable for articular cartilage and bone, wherein the cutting device is capable of slicing through a tough protective tangential zone, delicately separating the shock absorbing columns of cells in the radial zone of the cartilage, and finally cutting into the hard underlying bone in a manner that preserves the viability of osteochondral cells. The coring device features an annulus having a flat annular cutting edge interrupted by at least one serration having neutral cutting angles. A method for concurrently removing cartilaginous and bony tissue using an improved coring device that preserves the viability of osteochondral cells.

Abstract: This invention includes malleable, biodegradable, fibrous compositions for application to a tissue site in order to promote or facilitate new tissue growth. One aspect of this invention is a fibrous component that provides unique mechanical and physical properties. The invention may be created by providing a vessel containing a slurry, said slurry comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic polymer fibers and at least one suspension fluid, wherein the polymer fibers are substantially evenly dispersed and randomly oriented throughout the volume of the suspension fluid; applying a force, e.g., centrifugal, to said vessel containing said slurry, whereupon said force serves to cause said polymer fibers to migrate through the suspension fluid and amass at a furthest extent of the vessel, forming a polymer material, with said polymer material comprising polymer fibers of sufficient length and sufficiently viscous, interlaced, or interlocked to retard dissociation of said polymer fibers.

Abstract: This invention includes a subchondral bone repair system, comprising a structural component and a fluid settable component and an optional non-core component. The fluid settable component may penetrate into any pores of the structural component, and set to a solid, thereby fixing the structural component in place. The fluid settable component will penetrate interporously into the pores of the subchondral bone tissue surrounding the device, beneficially displacing any fluid to reduce edema in the affected bone region. Furthermore, the settable component, once solid is osteoconductive to promote repair and regrowth of bone in the affected region, and will also transmit mechanical force stimuli (such as compressive forces) directed through the structural component, into the adjacent bone tissue, thereby providing appropriate force stimuli necessary for appropriate tissue growth.

Abstract: A high strength porous biphasic polymeric reinforcement material manufactured by a compression and/or sintering process is disclosed. The material results in a network of interconnected collapsed pores, which forces thin overlapping walls and passages to be created. The network provides permeable access for fluid migration throughout the material. The strength and/or permeability are advantageous for medical devices and implants.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dried form of a porous polymer gel material which may be rehydrated and placed under pressure or compression to induce salvation, thereby forming a high concentration gel, in the form of an injectable viscous putty or dough, which may be implantated in the body.

Abstract: A high strength porous polymeric material manufactured by a compression process is disclosed. The material results in a network of interconnected collapsed pores, which forces thin overlapping walls and passages to be created. The network provides permeable access for fluid migration throughout the material. The strength and/or permeability are advantageous for medical devices and implants.

Abstract: A high strength porous biphasic polymeric reinforcement material manufactured by a compression and/or sintering process is disclosed. The material results in a network of interconnected collapsed pores, which forces thin overlapping walls and passages to be created. The network provides permeable access for fluid migration throughout the material. The strength and/or permeability are advantageous for medical devices and implants.

Abstract: This invention includes malleable, biodegradable, fibrous compositions for application to a tissue site in order to promote or facilitate new tissue growth. One aspect of this invention is a fibrous component that provides unique mechanical and physical properties. The invention may be created by providing a vessel containing a slurry, said slurry comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic polymer fibers and at least one suspension fluid, wherein the polymer fibers are substantially evenly dispersed and randomly oriented throughout the volume of the suspension fluid; applying a force, e.g., centrifugal, to said vessel containing said slurry, whereupon said force serves to cause said polymer fibers to migrate through the suspension fluid and amass at a furthest extent of the vessel, forming a polymer material, with said polymer material comprising polymer fibers of sufficient length and sufficiently viscous, interlaced, or interlocked to retard dissociation of said polymer fibers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may be made by the following steps: providing a mixture comprising a plurality of fibers, a lubricant, and a suspension fluid, with the suspension fluid filling a void space between said fibers and subjecting said mixture to at least one compressive force. The compressive force causes the migration and alignment of said fibers; and may remove substantially all of the suspension fluid from said mixture. The mixture may further comprise a biologically active agent, or a reinforcing agent.

Abstract: This invention includes malleable, biodegradable, fibrous compositions for application to a tissue site in order to promote or facilitate new tissue growth. One aspect of this invention is a fibrous component that provides unique mechanical and physical properties. The invention may be created by providing a vessel containing a slurry, said slurry comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic polymer fibers and at least one suspension fluid, wherein the polymer fibers are substantially evenly dispersed and randomly oriented throughout the volume of the suspension fluid; applying a force, e.g., centrifugal, to said vessel containing said slurry, whereupon said force serves to cause said polymer fibers to migrate through the suspension fluid and amass at a furthest extent of the vessel, forming a polymer material, with said polymer material comprising polymer fibers of sufficient length and sufficiently viscous, interlaced, or interlocked to retard dissociation of said polymer fibers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may be made by the following steps: providing a mixture comprising a plurality of fibers, a lubricant, and a suspension fluid, with the suspension fluid filling a void space between said fibers and subjecting said mixture to at least one compressive force. The compressive force causes the migration and alignment of said fibers; and may remove substantially all of the suspension fluid from said mixture. The mixture may further comprise a biologically active agent, or a reinforcing agent.

Abstract: A bendable polymer tissue fixation device suitable to be implanted into a living body, comprising a highly porous body, the porous body comprising a polymer, the porous body comprising a plurality of pores, the porous body being capable of being smoothly bent, wherein the bending collapses a portion of the pores to form a radius curve, the polymer fixation device being rigid enough to protect a tissue from shifting. In a preferred embodiment the polymer fixation device may be capable of being gradually resorbed by said living body. In one embodiment, the polymer fixation device comprises a plurality of layers distinguishable by various characteristics, such as structural or chemical properties. In another embodiment, the polymer fixation device may comprise additional materials; the additional materials serving to reinforce or otherwise alter the structure or physical characteristics of the device, or alternatively as a method of delivering therapy or other agents to the system of a living being.

Abstract: This invention includes malleable, biodegradable, fibrous compositions for application to a tissue site in order to promote or facilitate new tissue growth. One aspect of this invention is a fibrous component that provides unique mechanical and physical properties. The invention may be created by providing a vessel containing a slurry, said slurry comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic polymer fibers and at least one suspension fluid, wherein the polymer fibers are substantially evenly dispersed and randomly oriented throughout the volume of the suspension fluid; applying a force, e.g., centrifugal, to said vessel containing said slurry, whereupon said force serves to cause said polymer fibers to migrate through the suspension fluid and amass at a furthest extent of the vessel, forming a polymer material, with said polymer material comprising polymer fibers of sufficient length and sufficiently viscous, interlaced, or interlocked to retard dissociation of said polymer fibers.

Abstract: A bendable polymer tissue fixation device suitable to be implanted into a living body, comprising a highly porous body, the porous body comprising a polymer, the porous body comprising a plurality of pores, the porous body being capable of being smoothly bent, wherein the bending collapses a portion of the pores to form a radius curve, the polymer fixation device being rigid enough to protect a tissue from shifting. In a preferred embodiment the polymer fixation device may be capable of being gradually resorbed by said living body. In one embodiment, the polymer fixation device comprises a plurality of layers distinguishable by various characteristics, such as structural or chemical properties. In another embodiment, the polymer fixation device may comprise additional materials; the additional materials serving to reinforce or otherwise alter the structure or physical characteristics of the device, or alternatively as a method of delivering therapy or other agents to the system of a living being.

Abstract: This invention includes malleable, biodegradable, fibrous compositions for application to a tissue site in order to promote or facilitate new tissue growth. One aspect of this invention is a fibrous component that provides unique mechanical and physical properties. The invention may be created by providing a vessel containing a slurry, said slurry comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic polymer fibers and at least one suspension fluid, wherein the polymer fibers are substantially evenly dispersed and randomly oriented throughout the volume of the suspension fluid; applying a force, e.g., centrifugal, to said vessel containing said slurry, whereupon said force serves to cause said polymer fibers to migrate through the suspension fluid and amass at a furthest extent of the vessel, forming a polymer material, with said polymer material comprising polymer fibers of sufficient length and sufficiently viscous, interlaced, or interlocked to retard dissociation of said polymer fibers.