A three-dimensional, biocompatible scaffold precursor composition for room-temperature printing a bio-compatible polymer/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold includes a room-temperature slurry, comprising a mixture of a sold phase that includes a mixture of tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP; Ca.sub.4(PO.sub.4).sub.2O) and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA; CaHPO.sub.4), and a liquid phase that includes a polymer in a solvent. The solvent may be Ethanol (EtOH) or Tetrahydrofuran (THF), and the polymer may be polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polycaprolactone (PCL), or poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA). The slurry is printed at room temperature in aqueous phosphate (NaH.sub.2PO.sub.4) bath, which works as hardening accelerator, forming the polymer/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold

A method for controlling generation of biologically desirable voids in a composition placed in proximity to bone or other tissue in a patient by selecting at least one water-soluble inorganic material having a desired particle size and solubility, and mixing the water-soluble inorganic material with at least one poorly-water-soluble or biodegradable matrix material. The matrix material, after it is mixed with the water-soluble inorganic material, is placed into the patient in proximity to tissue so that the water-soluble inorganic material dissolves at a predetermined rate to generate biologically desirable voids in the matrix material into which bone or other tissue can then grow.

Compositions of small molecules, matrices, and isolated cells including methods of preparation, and methods for differentiation, trans-differentiation, and proliferation of animal cells into the osteoblast cell lineage were described. Examples of osteogenic materials that were administered to cells or co-cultured with cells are represented by compounds of Formula II, IV, and VI independently or preferably in combination with a matrix to afford bone cells. Small molecule-stimulated cells were also combined with a matrix, placed with a cellular adhesive or material carrier and implanted to a site in an animal for bone repair. Matrix pretreated with compounds of Formula II, IV, and VI were also used to cause cells to migrate to the matrix that is of use for therapeutic purposes.

Provided herein is technology relating to lipid compositions containing bioactive fatty acids and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions and methods related to the production and use of structured lipid compositions containing sciadonic and/or pinoleic acid alone or in combination with other bioactive fatty acids including, but not limited to, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, and non-β-oxidizable fatty acid analogues such as tetradecylthioacetic acid.

Scaffolds for use in bone tissue engineering include a skeleton and a host component. Methods of preparation of scaffolds include identification of biodegradation properties for the skeleton and the host component. The skeleton is constructed to form a three-dimensional shape. The skeleton is constructed of a first material and has a first rate of biodegradation. The host component fills the three-dimensional shape formed by the skeleton. The host component is constructed of a second material and has a second rate of biodegradation. The first rate of biodegradation is slower than the second rate of biodegradation.

A synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomedical material comprising gadolinium. The material may comprises a compound having the general chemical formula: Ca.sub.10−yGd.sub.y(PO.sub.4).sub.6−x(SiO.sub.4)x(OH).sub.2−x+y where 0<x<1.3 and 0<y<1.3.

The present invention relates to an integrated biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration and a method of preparing the same, and more particularly to an integrated biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration, which includes a lower structure consisting of an extracellular matrix protein and a bone mineral and an upper layer consisting of an extracellular matrix protein. In the integrated biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration according to the present invention, the lower structure consisting of an extracellular matrix protein and a bone mineral component realizes a natural bone tissue environment, and thus facilitates the regeneration of new bone, and particularly, the upper layer consisting of an extracellular matrix protein is placed thereon at an appropriate ratio, and thus not only prevents the infiltration of epithelial tissue or connective tissue but also maximizes bone tissue regeneration capability.

This invention provides aragonite- and calcite-based scaffolds for the repair, regeneration, enhancement of formation or a combination thereof of cartilage and/or bone, which scaffolds comprise at least two phases, wherein each phase differs in terms of its chemical content, or structure, kits comprising the same, processes for producing solid aragonite or calcite scaffolds and methods of use thereof.

Implantable medical devices are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a body having an external surface defining an outer profile of the device. The body includes a porous matrix including a series of interconnected macropores defined by a plurality of interconnected struts each including a hollow interior. A filler material substantially fills at least a portion of the series of interconnected macropores. The external surface of the body includes a plurality of openings communicating with the hollow interior of at least a portion of the plurality of interconnected struts. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the external surface includes exposed areas of the filler material and porous matrix in addition to the exposed openings. In another aspect, the porous matrix is formed from a bioresorbable ceramic and the filler material is a biologically stable polymeric material. Still, other aspects related to this and other embodiments are also disclosed.

A method of 3D printing comprises: providing a layer of a powder bed; jetting a functional binder onto selected parts of said layer, wherein said binder infiltrates into pores in the powder bed and locally fuses particles of the powder bed in situ; sequentially repeating said steps of applying a layer of powder on top and selectively jetting functional binder, multiple times, to provide a powder bed bonded at selected locations by printed functional binder; and taking the resultant bound 3D structure out of the powder bed.