Abstract: Disclosed is new type of implantable material for replacement of cartilaginous or fibrous tissue. The material has controlled porosity and is biocompatible. A method for making this material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is new type of implantable material for replacement of cartilaginous or fibrous tissue. The material has controlled porosity and is biocompatible. A method for making this material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Organic fluoride sources comprising a tetrafluoroborate salt and capable of releasing fluoride ions into dentition in order to provide inhibition and/or prevention of dental caries are disclosed. A method of releasing fluoride ion into dental tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: Particles of absorbable filler based on tricalcium phosphate having a particle size between 50 and 300 .mu.m, which predominantly have an approximately spherical shape, are used in materials for implantation, which are based on polyacrylates, for the management of bone defects.

Abstract: An improved bone cement is comprised of a particulate biocompatible calcium phosphate ceramic and particulate resorbable calcium salt dispersed in a cross-linked biodegradable polyester matrix. The polymer/salt-particle composite exhibits good biomechanical strength/modulus characteristics with surgically acceptable cure times. When used for sustained release of biologically active agents in a physiological environment, controlled release of biological agents that are mixed into the composite can be achieved as the cement biodegrades. When used for bone/implant fixation, or as a filler or cement for bone repair, gradual biodegradation of the cement composite permits, under suitable circumstances, eventual replacement of the cement with developing bone tissue.

Abstract: Biocompatible particles and an article incorporating a plurality of such particles is disclosed. The particles can have means for interconnecting such as an aperture for stringing the particles on a filament or interlocking external shape. A plurality of particles, with or without means for interconnecting, can be fashioned into an article by interconnecting the particles with a flexible material. When the particles have a means for interconnecting, the plurality of particles can also be interconnected by a rigid material. The particles or plurality of interconnected particles are useful for medical, dental or veterinary or biotechnical applications, such as bone, tooth or skin implants, including alveolar ridge augmentation, or as a growth substrate material. Any biocompatible material can be used, including ceramics such a hydroxylapatite.

Abstract: The invention relates to inorganic-organic compound substances useful for biomedical purposes. The object of the invention is to develop inorganic-organic compound materials which overcome the disadvantages of the state of art, wherein inorganic-organic compound substances for biomedical purposes possess to a large extent specifically adjustable characteristics. Inorganic initial substances form a new solid chemical compound with organic initial substances. The inorganic initial component consists of a biocompatible silicate glass and/or a silicate glass ceramic of the system SiO.sub.2 -Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -MgO-Na.sub.2 O/K.sub.2 O-F.sup.-, and/or a bioactive phosphate silicate glass and/or a phosphate silicate glass ceramic of the system SiO.sub.2 -Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -MgO-Na.sub.2 O/K.sub.2 O-CaO-P.sub.2 O.sub.5 F.sup.- and/or of the system SiO.sub.2 -MgO-K.sub.2 O-F.sup.- -CaO-P.sub.2 O.sub.5, and/or a bioactive phosphate glass and/or a phosphate glass ceramic of the system P.sub.2 O.sub.5 -Al.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A bone replacement and repair material prepared from a biocompatible polyester resin, a liquid linking agent capable of cross-linking the resin and a filler is moldable and formable and cures in vivo. The resulting cured putty also degrades in vivo to provide interstices in the polyester matrix for new tissue growth. The polyester resin can also be used as an implantable matrix containing a pharmaceutical agent therein for sustained release of said pharmaceutical from said matrix in a physiological environment.

Abstract: The object of this invention is a bone cement comprising a mixture of polyacrylate and/or polymethacrylate pre-polymers, monomeric acrylic and/or methacrylic acid derivatives, a polymerization catalyst and possibly a stabilizing agent and an accelerator, and a process for the preparation and application thereof. In the bone cement of the invention, the pre-polymer is a mixture of 5-50% by weight of polyacrylate and/or polymethacrylate fibers with a length of greater than 2 mm and up to 15 mm and a thickness of 50-750 .mu.m, and 50-95% by weight of polyacrylate and/or polymethacrylate pearl polymers consisting of 1-140 .mu.m polymer beads, preferably between 30 and 40 .mu.m as uniform in size as possible, the surface of which is advantageously enlarged by mechanical and/or chemical treatment. The prepolymer may also consist entirely of bead-shaped particles.

Abstract: Neovascularization is caused by placing a ligated blood vessel, preferably in an artery, in a sponge made of a material permitting vessel growth therein and therethrough, the material preferably being an acrylic copolymer carrying therein collagen and thereon heparin and fibrinogen, there being also in a preferred embodiment a cell receptacle with a molecular weight cutoff permeable walls within the sponge.

Abstract: Composite materials useful as hard tissue prosthetics comprising synthetic biodegradable polymers and unsintered calcium phosphate biomaterials optionally porositized by pore-forming agents are described. The composite materials may be ground and blended with a compatible water soluble pore-forming agent and then molded to form dense, shaped objects which may be made porous by leaching out said water soluble pore-forming agent. The composites may be used as hard tissue prosthetics either alone or in conjunction with conventional prostheses.

Abstract: An in situ polymerization process is disclosed whereby an .alpha.-amino acid N-carboxyanhydride is blended intimately and efficiently with one or more calcium phosphate biomaterials. The polymerization proceeds at ambient temperature and pressure without the need for initiators or surface modification of the calcium phosphate biomaterials. The resulting composite material may subsequently be ground and blended with a compatible water soluble pore-forming agent and then molded to form dense, shaped objects which may be made porous by leaching out said water soluble pore-forming agent. The resulting shaped objects may then be used as hard tissue prosthetics either alone or in conjunction with conventional prostheses.

Abstract: Composite materials useful as hard tissue prosthetics comprising synthetic biodegradable polymers and unsintered calcium phosphate biomaterials optionally porositized by pore-forming agents are described. The composite materials may be ground and blended with a compatible water soluble pore-forming agent and then molded to form dense, shaped objects which may be made porous by leaching out said water soluble pore-forming agent. The composites may be used as hard tissue prosthetics either alone or in conjunction with conventional prostheses.

Abstract: An in situ polymerization process is disclosed whereby an .alpha.-amino acid N-carboxyanhydride is blended intimately and efficiently with one or more calcium phosphate biomaterials. The polymerization proceeds at ambient temperature and pressure without the need for initiators or surface modification of the calcium phosphate biomaterials. The resulting composite material may subsequently be ground and blended with a compatible water soluble pore-forming agent and then molded to form dense, shaped objects which may be made porous be leaching out said water soluble pore-forming agent. The resulting shaped objects may then be used as hard tissue prosthetics either alone or in conjunction with conventional prostheses.

Abstract: Sterile surgical monofilament sutures are disclosed. The sutures are made from ethylene-propylene copolymers, and have improved compliance, compared with polypropylene homopolymer sutures.

Abstract: A method of fabricating prosthesis material having a conduit configuration.

Abstract: A medical implant useful in the regeneration of soft and hard connective tissue, such as cartilage and bone, is disclosed which comprises a copolymer of a major amount of epsilon caprolactone and a minor amount of lactide. Where regeneration of bone tissue, in particular, is desired, the copolymer may further include osteogenic material in powdered or particulate form. If soft tissue regeneration is desired, the copolymer may include chopped carbon fiber. A mass of the copolymer, optionally including additives, may be molded by hand by heating the polymer to a temperature of 115.degree.-160.degree. F., by, for example, immersion in hot water. The mass is then molded to the void to be filled or shape the regenerated tissue is desired to assume, and implanted in the patient. The mass is gradually replaced by regenerated tissue.

Abstract: A sterile shaped prosthetic device, suitable for insertion into a mammalian body, is at least partly composed of a bioresorbable material that is digestible by macrophages, its surface properties favor the attachment and adhesion of fibroblast cells capable of producing collagen for organized connective tissues, and the material itself or its degradation products can induce in vivo the formation of new capillary vessels (termed a "vasotropic" effect herein). Preferred prosthetic devices have through passages, the interspatial dimensions which are sufficient to permit several layers of mammalian cells to form within each passage. The invading fibroblast cells commence formation of collagen leading to connective tissue while macrophages and extracellular enzymes degrade the material, and newly formed capillary vessels penetrate the prosthesis and provide blood containing oxygen and nutrients which further the formation of organized tissue around as well as within the prosthetic device.

Abstract: Materials and methods for improving the adhesion of composite materials and resins to dentin, enamel and other substrates are disclosed. Preferably, the substrate surface is treated with an aqueous solution of (1) at least one acidic salt containing a polyvalent cation which preferably is capable of changing valence by unit steps (univalent changes) and which can bind to dentin or enamel surface sites, and at least one anion which preferably forms a relatively water-insoluble precipitate or precipitates with calcium, and which contains at least one carboxyl group and preferably two or more carboxyl groups; and (2) acid, preferably nitric acid. The resultant surface is then treated with a solvent containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (1) N-phenylglycine, (2) the adduct of N (p-tolyl) glycine and glycidyl methacrylate, and (3) the addition reaction product of N-phenylglycine and glycidyl methacrylate.

Abstract: Surgical filaments such as sutures and ligatures are made from a blend of polypropylene and linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: This invention relates to implantable porous prostheses for use as bone or hard tissue replacements anywhere in the body. The porous implants comprise loose, individual polymeric particles of a specified size, coated with a hydrophilic material and barium sulfate particles. The prostheses are biologically compatible in the body and promote bone and tissue ingrowth and attachment. This invention also relates to a method for producing the novel prosthetic devices disclosed herein.

Abstract: Materials and methods for improving the adhesion of composite materials and resins to dentin, enamel and other substrates are disclosed. Preferably, the substrate surface is treated with an aqueous solution of at least one acidic salt containing a polyvalent cation which preferably is capable of changing valence by unit steps (univalent changes) and which can bind to dentin or enamel surface sites, and at least one anion which preferably forms a relatively water-insoluble precipitate or precipitates with calcium, and which contains at least one carboxyl group and preferably two or more carboxyl groups. The resultant surface is then treated with a solvent containing a composition preferably comprising N-phenylglycine.

Abstract: A liquid-filled polyurethane elastomer gel is fabricated from water, organic glycol and a polyisocyanate prepolymer. The prepolymer is formed from organic di-isocyanate and organic diol or triol having a molecular weight of 3,000 to 10,000 and containing at least 40 percent by weight ethylene oxide adducts. The prepolymer is mixed with 3 to 20 times its weight of aqueous reactant including 25 to 65 percent by weight water and 75 to 35 percent by weight organic polyol. The resulting stable gel contains aqueous solutions or emulsions dispersed therein as small droplets comprising 75 to 95 percent of the weight of the resulting article. The liquid-filled polyurethane elastomer gel can be cast into shapes or can be formed into globs of random shape.

Abstract: Materials and methods for improving the adhesion of composite materials and resins to dentin, enamel and other substrates are disclosed. Preferably, the substrate is treated with an aqueous solution of at least one acidic salt containing a polyvalent cation which preferably is capable of changing valence by unit steps (univalent changes) and which can bind to dentin or enamel surface sites, and at least one anion which preferably forms a relatively water-insoluble precipitate or precipitates with calcium, and which contains at least one carboxyl group and preferably two or more carboxyl groups. The resultant surface is then treated with a solvent containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (1) the adduct of N(p-tolyl)glycine and glycidyl methacrylate ("NTG-GMA"), and (2) the addition reaction product of N-phenylglycine and glycidyl methacrylate ("NPG-GMA").

Abstract: The physical properties of structural surgical elements which are made from bioabsorbable materials having a glycolic ester linkage can be controlled so that the rate of strength loss and degradation in vivo is altered to achieve disintegration into fragments suitable for removal from or passage through the body without the need for waiting until the material is absorbed. This is achieved by a method of modifying the element through various chemical and/or physical treatments, preferably irradiation, or combinations thereof, with the result that bioabsorbable structural surgical elements are made more controllable in their strength loss and degradation pattern.

Abstract: An implantation material comprises a polymeric base of an acrylate, a polymethacrylate, a copolymer of an acrylate and a methacrylate or a mixture thereof, and 5-35% by weight of resorbable tricalcium phosphate of a particle size of 50-300 .mu.m, and an available pore volume of less than 0.1 ml/g.

Abstract: A liquid-filled polyurethane elastomer gel is fabricated from water, organic glycol and a polyisocyanate prepolymer. The prepolymer is formed from organic diisocyanate and organic diol or triol having a molecular weight of 3,000 to 10,000 and containing at least 40 percent by weight ethylene oxide adducts. The prepolymer is mixed with 3 to 20 times its weight of aqueous reactant including 25 to 65 percent by weight water and 75 to 35 percent by weight organic polyol. The resulting stable gel contains aqueous solutions of emulsions dispersed therein as small droplets comprising 75 to 95 percent of the weight of the resulting article. The liquid-filled polyurethane elastomer gel can be cast into shapes or can be formed into globs of random shape.