Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in chemical vapor infiltration processes and devices for depositing a biocompatible material onto a porous substrate to form an orthopedic implant. The substrate may be formed of reticulated vitreous foam and coated with tantalum, niobium, tungsten, or other biocompatible materials.

Abstract: The present invention is based on that local administration of strontium ions in bone tissue has been found to improve the bone formation and bone mass upon implantation of a bone tissue implant in said bone tissue. In particular, the invention relates to a bone tissue implant having an implant surface covered by an oxide layer comprising strontium ions and a method for the manufacture thereof. A blasting powder comprising strontium ions, a method for locally increasing bone formation, and the use of strontium ions or a salt thereof for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for locally increasing bone formation are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A patient-specific porous metal prosthesis and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The orthopaedic prosthesis may be metallic to provide adequate strength and stability. Also, the orthopaedic prosthesis may be porous to promote bone ingrowth.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymeric substrates comprising a biocompatible coating and methods of preparation thereof. In particular, the coating may be a ceramic material, especially a calcium phosphate material, which may be functionally graded. The invention provides the ability to apply high quality coatings to polymeric substrates without damaging the substrate (e.g., melting the polymeric material). The functionally graded coating can provide crystalline calcium phosphate near the coating interface with the substrate and provide amorphous calcium phosphate at the outer surface of the coating.

Abstract: A method of increasing the hydrophilicity of an implant to be implanted into living bone. The method comprises the act of depositing non-toxic salt residuals on the surface of the implant by exposing the surface to a solution including the non-toxic salts. The method further comprises the act of drying the implant.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical implant device or component thereof comprising a metal substrate, an intermediate coating, and an outer coating of aluminum oxide, as well as a method of making such a medical implant device or component thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to implantable flexible bone composites, and method for preparing the same. The flexible bone composite includes at least one polymeric layer and at least one calcium-containing layer. The polymeric layer can be a polymeric layer including a synthetic polymer. The calcium-containing layer can include a calcium compound such as ?-Ca3(PO4)2. The flexible bone composites of the invention are useful as bone void fillers and have improved handling characteristics.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a substitute component for bone, including the processes of: provision of a chemical spray including at least three of calcium chloride, hydrogen phosphate, hydrogen carbonate and water to form a combined solution; reaction and precipitation of the combined solution onto a substrate; allowing the precipitated particles to form a porous structure on the substrate; applying substantially isostatic pressure to the porous structure to form a compressed structure; and (optional) providing one or more through-holes in the compressed structure to promote osteoinduction.

Abstract: A medical implant device comprises a substrate (10) having an undulating surface provided by peaks (12) which are separated by recesses (14). The device includes a porous coating layer provided on the undulating surface of the substrate which comprises a plurality of particles (16). The spacing between adjacent peaks on the surface of the substrate is less than the particle size of the particles. The particles are bonded to the peaks on the surface of the substrate and adjacent particles are bonded to one another.

Abstract: A process for reducing solvent contents in drug-containing polymeric compositions may be utilized to reduce the solvent content in implantable medical device wherein the compositions are in reservoirs. Specifically, the solvent contents in the drug-containing polymeric compositions are first reduced by one or more conventional drying methods, to a range from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of the total weight of the polymeric composition. Subsequently, the drug-containing polymeric compositions are further treated by a low temperature drying method for further reduction of the solvent content.

Abstract: Medical implants exhibiting optimized mechanical properties, and methods of making such implants, are disclosed. That is, the implants are fabricated of a porous metal substrate and include coating integrated over various areas so as to provide some added or desirable property or functionality to the implant. In one embodiment, the implant is an acetabular implant with a coating applied to an internal, concave wear surface which is sized and configured to receive a head of a femur. Typically, the coating is a ceramic incorporated onto the desired area of the implant via electrophoretic deposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of modifying the chemical structure of a surface by covalently attaching molecules containing desired functional groups on the surface using plasma energy. In these methods, chemical compounds containing the desired functional groups and having a vapor pressure lower than 0.001 bar are exposed in the plasma chamber together with the substrate. Surface area of the chemical compound is optimized to generate adequate evaporation rate. The modification of the substrate surface is achieved in a plasma state generated from the vapor of the chemical compounds; while the evaporation of the chemical compounds is accelerated by the plasma energy. Methods for producing non-fouling surface by covalently attaching ethylene glycol oligomers on the surface are disclosed.

Abstract: Method for the realization of a biologically compatible prosthesis component including the steps of having at least two materials with different physical/chemical features, defining in forming means the component as a composition of at least two volumes of at least two materials, sintering the component in the forming means and at a preset sintering temperature (T1).

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an implantable medical device comprising a surface coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer, wherein said surface is glass, metal, plastic, polymer, or fiberglass. Another aspect of the present invention involves a method of preparing a PEM-coated implantable medical device, comprising the step of applying a film to a surface of an implantable medical device, wherein said film comprises a polyelectrolyte multilayer and said surface is glass, metal, plastic, polymer, or fiberglass.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a sliding member, a prosthesis and a method of producing the sliding member, which can suppress production of abrasive wear debris by suppressing friction of the sliding section, and also can maintain satisfactory mechanical characteristics in vivo. A sliding member comprising: a substrate 1 capable of forming hydroxyl groups; and a biocompatible material layer 4 laminated on appropriate sections of the substrate 1, wherein hydroxyl groups are formed on at least a required section of a surface of the substrate 1 by surface treating to form a surface-treated layer 2, while the biocompatible material layer 4 is formed from a polymer containing phosphorylcholine groups, and wherein the substrate 1 and the biocompatible material layer 4 are joined via a binder layer 3 formed from silica being covalently bonded with the hydroxyl groups and the biocompatible material, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a calcium aluminate based paste forming a chemically bonded biomaterial on hydration thereof for in vivo anchoring of new implants, or stabilizing of existing implants in situ to an adjacent bone tissue, which paste provides a controlled pH value and temperature as well as initial hardening time. By virtue of the pH value and temperature the paste exhibits antibacterial and/or bacteriostatic properties. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing implants to be implanted wherein the implant is coated with the paste, a method of implanting a coated implant, as well as methods of preventing and treating implant related conditions, such as periimplantitis, and a kit for preparing the paste. The invention is especially intended for re-stabilization of dental implants, and implantation into low quality bone tissue.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dental post according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (i) overjacketing extrusion of at least one thermoplastic material over at least one filament or yarn, such that the thermoplastic material cross-sectionally enwraps the at least one filament or yarn; (ii) solidifying the extruded product of step (i); (iii) equipping the solidified extruded product of step (ii) with a surface texture, such that the thermoplastic wrapping is not modified in a way as to expose or damage the at least one filament or yarn. The invention allows for more flexibility in the manufacturing of dental posts, especially in generating surface textures of such dental posts.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for placement in the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The implant comprises a hollow cage and a porous core received within the cage. The cage comprises a superior surface configured to contact a first vertebral body, an inferior surface configured to contact a second vertebral body, and an outer wall extending between the superior surface and inferior surface. The outer wall comprises an exterior surface defining the outer perimeter of the implant, and an interior surface defining an inner (hollow) space or void. The porous core is received within the inner space or void, and preferably fills the void. The core comprises a carbonaceous matrix comprising a continuous phase having a surface and defining a plurality of open spaces throughout said matrix. Suitable carbonaceous matrices are selected from the group consisting of carbon foam, graphite foam, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A bone implant includes (a) a first layer provided over a first outer surface of the bone implant and being formed of a first material which is one of water-soluble and degradable in body fluids, the first layer having a first thickness and (b) a second layer provided over an outer periphery of the first layer and being formed of a biocompatible material, the second layer having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness.

Abstract: Method of modifying the coating of a surface of a medical device by applying a coating to the surface of the medical device, exposing the medical device to an environmental condition that alters the coating morphology, and drying the coating on the medical device. The disclosed subject matter also provides a coated medical device whose one or more surfaces have been modified by this method.

Abstract: A device for coating at least regions of a medical implant including a powder having at least one pharmaceutically active substance or one bone growth-promoting substance such that the powder can be transferred to the medical implant when the medical implant is contacted.

Abstract: A method for coating at least regions of a medical implant includes providing a medical implant having a surface to be coated, and immersing the surface of the medical implant into a liquid including at least one pharmaceutically active substance, whereby the liquid is transferred to the surface of the medical implant due to the immersing. The method also includes pulling the surface of the medical implant out of the liquid, whereby part of the liquid remains adhering to the surface of the medical implant.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant having a pyrolytic carbon composition is provided with a porous coating. The porous coating is bonded to the pyrolytic carbon implant using a bond coat that is reaction-bonded to the carbon material. The porous coating can be reaction-bonded to the bond coat to provide a porous structure having a structure that is conducive to the ingrowth of living tissue when implanted in the body.

Abstract: A medical implant comprises a biodegradable magnesium-based alloy of which at least a part of its surface layer comprises a magnesium carbonate. A method for the manufacture of a biocompatible, corrosion-inhibiting protective surface layer on a medical implant comprising a magnesium-based alloy, comprises: providing an implant comprising a magnesium-based alloy to be coated; placing the implant into a reactor chamber; exposing at least part of the surface of said implant to an atmosphere comprising humid carbon dioxide to produce a coating on the surface of the implant comprising a magnesium carbonate of the formula x MgCO3·y Mg (OH)2, whereby x+y=1; removing the implant from the reactor chamber; and drying the surface of the implant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental implant and to a process for fabricating the dental implant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating an article surface. The method comprises delivering a polymer and drug to a medical implant having a porous surface and using at least one particle stream from at least one fluid jet to subsequently remove the polymer from the outer surface of the metal substrate, thereby retaining the therapeutic agent and polymer within the pores of the implant.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a medical implant component. The method may include the steps of producing a substrate from a first material wherein the substrate has a bearing portion, spraying particles of a second material onto the bearing portion in accordance with a predetermined spraying technique to provide a coating thereon, and subjecting the coated bearing portion to a hot isostatic pressing process, a vacuum sintering process, or a controlled atmospheric sintering process. The first material may be the same as or different from the second material. The predetermined spraying technique may be a thermal type spraying process such as a plasma spraying process or a high velocity oxygen fuel spraying process.

Abstract: Medical implant at least partially consisting of a polymer, where: A) It consists only partially of one or several polymers compatible with the body, which are at least partially containing a colored substance, a reflecting coating or a self-colored; or B) It consists wholly of one or several polymers compatible with the body, whereof only a part contains a colored substance, a reflecting coating or a self-colored; or C) It comprises one or several polymers compatible with the body, which are at least partially coated with a color layer or a reflecting layer, or D) It presents at least a part of a polymer without a coating, which is capable of receiving appropriate colored substances if put in contact with color containing body fluids, so that E) The colored or color containing polymers (A), or those polymer layers that border on the reflecting coatings (A), the color substance receiving coatings (D) or the coatings consisting only of a color layer can be warmed-up and softened by electromagnetic radiation,

Abstract: The present invention provides dental fillers having the optical and/or mechanical characteristics required to dental materials, a method of producing the same, and a dental composite material prepared with use of the dental filler. More specifically, the present invention provides a dental filler containing a zirconium silicate compound, especially a zirconium trisilicate compound with a wadeite type crystalline structure and having an average particle diameter in the range from 2 to 50,000 nm, a method of producing the same, a dental composite material containing the dental filler and a hardenable resin selected from an acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a vinyl resin, a urethane resin and the like.

Abstract: Implants having improved mechanical properties and/or degradation profiles, kits including such implants, and methods of producing and using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating an article surface. The method comprises removing a metal oxide surface from the metal substrate to expose a metal surface; and delivering particles comprising a dopant from at least one fluid jet to the metal surface to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant. The method also comprises delivering substantially simultaneously a first set of particles comprising a dopant and a second set of particles comprising an abrasive from at least one fluid jet to a surface of an article to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant.

Abstract: A prosthesis arranged to be coupled to a bone. The prosthesis comprises a substrate (2) having a surface (6). The surface (6) of the substrate (2) has a first area and a second area, the first area being treated such that osteointegration is promoted more than in the second area. The interface (12) between the first and second areas forms an alignment mark to assist alignment of the prosthesis relative to a bone. The prosthesis is arranged to be at least partially inserted into a bone cavity such that the position of the alignment mark relative to the bone cavity is indicative of the angle of insertion of the prosthesis or the alignment mark provides a position reference for determining the implanted position of the prosthesis in the cavity. A method of manufacturing the prosthesis and a method of implanting the prosthesis are also provided.

Abstract: A self-cure or dual-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with a redox indicator. The composition exhibits an initial first color upon mixing of the two parts and then changes to a second color that is noticeably different from the first color during the curing or polymerization of the composition initiated through the redox initiator system. Advantageously, the first color may be distinctively different from tooth structure and can be easily noticed. The second color may be essentially colorless, a neutral color, or a non-visually observable color in reference to the tooth structure.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant including an articulation portion having a pyrolytic carbon bearing surface and a porous bone on- or in-growth structure, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of coating prosthetic devices with dried fibrin. Particularly, the present invention relates to methods of coating the surface of prosthetic devices with fibrin and drying the fibrin-coated prosthetic devices at moderately-high temperatures for extended periods of time under low atmospheric pressure to obtain prosthetic devices coated with stable cross-linked fibrin capable of binding cells and thereby capable of integrating into tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides a durable, lubricious coating for a medical article that can be prepared from a first polymer that is synthetic, soluble in a polar liquid, and having first reactive groups, and a second polymer that is synthetic, hydrophilic, and that includes second reactive groups. The first reactive groups and a portion of the second reactive groups react to bond the first polymer to the second polymer. A portion of the second reactive groups remains unbonded which, upon neutralization, provide lubricious properties to the coating. In some aspects the coating is formed using a crosslinking agent having latent reactive groups. The coatings provide particularly long dry out times and are very useful for catheterization processes. In addition, the coatings can be subject to sterilization with ethylene oxide and retain very good durable and lubricious properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for prolonging the working time and setting time of a calcium sulfate hemihydrate paste by mixing calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder with an aqueous solution containing phosphate ions, so that the paste is suitable for operation and the resultant hardened calcium sulfate dihydrate block from the paste has an improved mechanical strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bone cement formula having a powder component and a setting liquid component, wherein the powder component includes a calcium sulfate source and a calcium phosphate source with a weight ratio of the calcium sulfate source less than 65%, based on the total weight of the calcium sulfate source and the calcium phosphate source, and the setting liquid component comprises ammonium ion (NH4+) in a concentration of about 0.5 M to 4 M, wherein the calcium phosphate source includes tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) and dicalcium phosphate in a molar ratio of TTCP to dicalcium phosphate of about 0.5 to about 2.5, and the calcium sulfate source is calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH), calcium sulfate dehydrate (CSD), or anhydrous calcium sulfate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for the human or animal body, which on its outer surface comprises at least one calcium salt that is soluble in a polar liquid. The invention also refers to various methods for the preparation of the preceding implant. The calcium ions contained on the surface of the implant provide said surface with four chemically and biologically advantageous properties: hydrophilicity, protection against atmospheric contamination, a pro-coagulant property and a pro-mineralising property.

Abstract: A process for forming a ceramic layer comprising a compound of a metal on a deposition surface of a workpiece comprises providing a reactive gas, selecting the amounts of a vapor of the metal and ions of the metal relative to each other, generating the metal vapor, and projecting an ion beam of the metal ions. The metal vapor, the metal ions, and the reactive gas form the ceramic layer with a desired structure. The process may include the step of controlling a deposition surface temperature. In one embodiment, the metal vapor comprises zirconium vapor and the ion beam comprises zirconium ions. The relative amounts of the zirconium vapor and the zirconium ions are selected to form a zirconia ceramic layer on the deposition surface. The zirconia may have multiple crystal phases that are formed according to a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a regenerated silk fibroin solution comprises the steps of: treating silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C.; and subsequently degumming the treated silk or silk cocoons; or alternatively, degumming silk or silk cocoons; and subsequently treating the degummed silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C. The invention also extends to fibroin solution, a fibroin material and an implant useful for cartilage repair.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to coating deposition and coatings for dental and orthopedic devices that provide prevention or reduction of ion leakage and, in some situations, improved aesthetic appearances.

Abstract: The present invention provides hydrogel coated, implantable medical devices and methods of coating hydrogels onto implantable medical devices. In one embodiment, a hydrogel coated medical device is formed by physically treating a surface of the medical device, chemically treating the surface, applying a hydrogel precursor and then crosslinking the hydrogel precursor to form a hydrogel coating on the surface of the medical device. The present invention may be particularly applicable for coating articulating surfaces on implantable medical devices such as artificial joints.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for orthopedic implants. The implants may include a base member, such as an acetabular shell or an augment, that is configured to couple with an augment, flange cup, mounting member, or any other suitable orthopedic attachment. Any of the implantable components may be include one or more porous surfaces. The porous surface may be textured by protrusions that connect to and extend from the surface. The sizes and concentration of the protrusions may be varied for specific applications to accommodate different implants and patient anatomies. A porous implant may also include one or more internal or external solid portions that strengthen the implant.

Abstract: The present application describes a spinal implant device comprising a load-bearing component having at least one soft tissue-facing surface and a coating affixed to the soft tissue-facing surface. The coating is operable to define an interface with the soft tissue that exhibits one or more of the following features: reduced friction, reduced tissue irritation, reduced adhesion, reduced inflammation, reduced incidence of infection and reduced pain, relative to the soft tissue-facing surface in the absence of the coating. Other embodiments include methods of use and manufacture of the apparatus. The application also describes a method involving affixing a load-bearing prosthetic spinal implant device to first and second vertebrae of a motion segment and, after the device is affixed, applying to a soft tissue-facing surface of the device a flowable, curable coating material operable to cure in situ to form a coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating of a medical implant that can be used to apply a calcium salt to the surface of a medical implant easily and without expensive coating equipment and little expenditure of time. Accordingly, a method is provided that includes (i) providing a medical implant that includes at least one surface to be coated; (ii) providing a body that includes at least one calcium salt with a Mohs hardness of no more than 5.5 on at least one of its surfaces; and (iii) rubbing said body having the calcium salt-containing surface onto the at least one medical implant surface to be coated in order to coat said surface of the medical implant with the at least one calcium salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dense-coverage, adherent phosphorous-based coating on the native oxide surface of a material. Disclosed phosphorous-based coatings include phosphate and organo-phosphonate coatings. The present invention also provides further derivatization of the phosphorous-based coatings to yield dense surface coverage of chemically reactive coatings and osteoblast adhesion-promoting and proliferation-promoting coatings on the native oxide surface of a titanium material.

Abstract: Implants having improved mechanical properties and/or degradation profiles, kits including such implants, and methods of producing and using the same.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an orthopedic implant comprising a metallic substrate coated with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer, and a layer of a polymeric material placed over the DLC layer that is less stiff than the substrate, and methods of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopaedic cushion made from a filled elastomer or softened thermoplastics and can be provided with a thin friction-reducing coating made from a non-polar, non-hydrophilic slip-increasing polymer coating namely poly(para-xylene). According to the invention, the above can be achieved by means of a method in which the polymerised polyurethane cushion is subjected to at least one pre-treatment step in which volatile components are removed to such an extent as to be able to be immediately coated.