Bioactive, bioabsorbable surgical composite material

• US 6,406,498 B1
• Filed: 09/04/1998
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bionx Implants, Oy
• Original Assignee: Bionx Implants, Oy
• Inventors: Rokkanen, Penti, Törmälä, Pertti, Pohjonen, Timo, Välimaa, Tero, Niiranen, Henna
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Application Number:
  US09/148,838
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 606/53, 623/11, 623/11.11, 623/23.75, 623/23.58, 623/23.61, 424/423, 424/424
• US Class Current: 623/23.75
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/446 with other specific inorganic fillers other than those covered by A61L27/443 or A61L27/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/56 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/128 containing other specific inorganic fillers not covered by A61L31/126 or A61L31/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/146 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges

Abstract

The Applicants'"'"' invention is a bioactive, biocompatible, bioabsorbable surgical composite that is fabricated bioabsorbable polymers, copolymers or polymer alloys that are self-reinforced and contain ceramic particles or reinforcement fibers, and also can be porous. The composite of the invention can be formed into devices like pins, screws, plates, tacks, bolts, intramedullary nails, suture anchors, staples, and many other devices, all of which are useful in bone-to-bone, soft tissue-to-bone or soft tissue-to-soft tissue fixation or in fixation of bioabsorbable and/or biostable implants in or on bone or soft tissue.

Claims

1. A bioactive, bioabsorbable surgical composite material comprising:

a bioabsorbable polymer matrix which is oriented, said matrix having an outer surface and containing a plurality of pores, wherein at least some of said pores open at the surface of said matrix; and

bioabsorbable or bioactive particles dispersed into the polymer matrix, said particles being comprised of glass or ceramic, wherein said particles extend at least partially into said pores.

2. A composite material according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said particles extend through the pores open at the surface of the matrix.

3. A composite material according to claim 1, wherein each of the pores in the matrix is not in contact with any of the other pores.

4. A composite material according to claim 1, wherein at least part of at least one of said pores is connected with at least one of the other of said pores.

5. A composite material according to claim 1, wherein said matrix is self-reinforced.

6. A bioactive, bioabsorbable surgical composite material, comprising:

a bioabsorbable polymer matrix which is oriented, said matrix having an outer surface and containing a plurality of pores, wherein at least some of said pores open at the surface of said matrix; and

bioabsorbable or bioactive fibers dispersed into the polymer matrix, wherein said fibers extend at least partially into said pores.

7. A composite material according to claim 6, wherein at least some of said fibers extend through the pores open at the surface of the matrix.

8. A composite material according to claim 6, wherein each of the pores in the matrix is not in contact with any of the other pores.

9. A composite material according to claim 6, wherein at least part of at least one of said pores is connected with at least one of the other of said pores.

10. A composite material according to claim 6, wherein said matrix is self- reinforced.