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.

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.

The present invention relates generally to the field of bone graft substitutes and methods for making the same, particularly the invention relates to bone graft substitutes for use in dental or orthopaedic implants. The bone graft substitutes described herein comprise a silicate based material. The silicate based material is a silicate network with a porous structure. The silicate network has one or more metal cations incorporated therein. Preferably a phosphate is also incorporated into the silicate network. The bone graft substitute may have a low density, preferably a density of less than 1.1 g/cm.sup.3. The bone graft substitute may be an aerogel or a cryogel.

A prosthesis for a synovial joint arthroplasty within a human body is provided. The prosthesis includes a first prosthetic component, the first prosthetic component including a first surface and the first prosthetic component is formed of a plastic compound, the plastic compound includes a polymer, a plurality of long glass fibers, the long glass fibers being randomly dispersed throughout the polymer to improve surface fatigue life and inhibit surface crack propagation to the prosthesis and improve wear resistance of the prosthesis, a number of the plurality of long glass fibers configured to protrude outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component, a plurality of beads, the beads being randomly dispersed throughout the polymer to improve surface fatigue life and inhibit surface crack propagation to the prosthesis and improve wear resistance of the prosthesis, a number of the plurality of beads configured to protrude outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component, a second prosthetic component, the second prosthetic component including a second surface, the second surface of the second prosthetic component configured to engage said first surface of said first prosthetic component and slide relative to the first surface of the first prosthetic component while contacting the plurality of long glass fibers protruding outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component and the plurality of beads protruding outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component.

A prosthesis for a synovial joint arthroplasty within a human body is provided. The prosthesis includes a first prosthetic component, the first prosthetic component including a first surface and the first prosthetic component is formed of a plastic compound, the plastic compound includes a polymer, a plurality of long glass fibers, the long glass fibers being randomly dispersed throughout the polymer to improve surface fatigue life and inhibit surface crack propagation to the prosthesis and improve wear resistance of the prosthesis, a number of the plurality of long glass fibers configured to protrude outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component, a plurality of beads, the beads being randomly dispersed throughout the polymer to improve surface fatigue life and inhibit surface crack propagation to the prosthesis and improve wear resistance of the prosthesis, a number of the plurality of beads configured to protrude outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component, a second prosthetic component, the second prosthetic component including a second surface, the second surface of the second prosthetic component configured to engage said first surface of said first prosthetic component and slide relative to the first surface of the first prosthetic component while contacting the plurality of long glass fibers protruding outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component and the plurality of beads protruding outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component.

A method for making a ceramic body comprised of a ceramic material having an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth is provided. A dental prosthesis may be made of a ceramic material that comprises a molybdenum-containing component on a portion of the prosthesis that contacts the gingival surface of a patient. In one method, a porous zirconia ceramic structure is shaped in the form of a dental prosthesis, and then infiltrated with a molybdenum-containing composition, before sintering to densify the ceramic structure.

A particulate substance comprising particles of a ceramic matrix bearing a functional group, the functional group being capable of promoting penetration of the particles into cells, and a biomolecule disposed within pores of the particles, the biomolecule being releaseble from the particles by dissolution of the ceramic matrix.

The invention relates to a coating for an implant component, a method for producing an implant component having said coating, and a use of said coating on an implant component. The coating is intended for an implant component, in particular a spinal implant component, and is a TiNb coating which has, in addition to an atom % proportion of Ti and an atom % proportion of Nb, an atom % proportion of 5-30 atom % of Ag.

Bioactive porous bone graft implants in various forms suitable for bone tissue regeneration and/or repair, as well as methods of use, are provided. The implants are formed of bioactive glass and have an engineered porosity. The implants may take the form of a putty, foam, fibrous cluster, fibrous matrix, granular matrix, or combinations thereof and allow for enhanced clinical results as well as ease of handling.

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.