A threaded medical implant comprising a biocomposite, said biocomposite comprising a polymer and a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein a weight percentage of a mineral composition within the biocomposite medical implant is in the range of 30-60%, wherein an average diameter of said fibers is in a range of 1-100 microns, said medical implant being threaded with a plurality of threads; wherein said fibers comprise a plurality of helical fibers and a plurality of longitudinal fibers; wherein a weight to weight percent ratio of said helical to said longitudinal fibers is from 90:10 to 10:90.

A threaded medical implant comprising a biocomposite, said biocomposite comprising a polymer and a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein a weight percentage of a mineral composition within the biocomposite medical implant is in the range of 30-60%, wherein an average diameter of said fibers is in a range of 1-100 microns, said medical implant being threaded with a plurality of threads; wherein said fibers comprise a plurality of helical fibers and a plurality of longitudinal fibers; wherein a weight to weight percent ratio of said helical to said longitudinal fibers is from 90:10 to 10:90.

The invention relates to the use of microparticles in a self-adhesive silicone gel to increase adhesion. The invention relates to a self-adhesive silicone gel that comprises microparticles and has improved adhesion properties, in particular when same also comprises additional chemical compounds/derivatives, more particularly compounds that are active, soluble or miscible in the silicone gel.

The invention relates to the use of microparticles in a self-adhesive silicone gel to increase adhesion. The invention relates to a self-adhesive silicone gel that comprises microparticles and has improved adhesion properties, in particular when same also comprises additional chemical compounds/derivatives, more particularly compounds that are active, soluble or miscible in the silicone gel.

Systems and methods for assembling a plurality of tissue grafts are provided. A method includes applying a magnetic coating over a surface of a donor site and harvesting the plurality of micro tissue grafts from the donor site, so that an upper surface of each of the plurality of micro tissue grafts contains the coating. The method also includes arranging a magnet over the magnetic coating to induce the plurality of micro tissue grafts to organize in a desired orientation, forming a tissue construct containing the plurality of micro tissue grafts arranged in the desired orientation, and applying the tissue construct to a recipient site.

The present invention relates to a method of treating a bone defect site in a patient. The method includes applying to the bone defect site a bone graft composition comprising a scaffold having a desired shape. The scaffold includes a biodegradable polymer and a ceramic material. The scaffold includes interconnected pores and an average porosity range of about 50% to about 90%, wherein the porosity is substantially uniform throughout the scaffold. The scaffold is bioresorbable and exhibits advantageous mechanical properties that mimic those found in natural bone. Methods of preparing the scaffolds and using them in skeletal tissue engineering applications (e.g., as bone grafts to repair osteochondral defects and ligaments) is also described.

The present invention relates to a method of treating a bone defect site in a patient. The method includes applying to the bone defect site a bone graft composition comprising a scaffold having a desired shape. The scaffold includes a biodegradable polymer and a ceramic material. The scaffold includes interconnected pores and an average porosity range of about 50% to about 90%, wherein the porosity is substantially uniform throughout the scaffold. The scaffold is bioresorbable and exhibits advantageous mechanical properties that mimic those found in natural bone. Methods of preparing the scaffolds and using them in skeletal tissue engineering applications (e.g., as bone grafts to repair osteochondral defects and ligaments) is also described.

A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and settable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone. A method for treating a bone, the method comprising: selecting at least one reinforcing element to be combined with an injectable matrix material so as to together form a composite implant capable of supporting the bone; positioning the at least one reinforcing element in a cavity in the bone; flowing the injectable matrix material into the cavity in the bone so that the injectable matrix material interfaces with the at least one reinforcing element; and transforming the injectable matrix material from a flowable state to a non-flowable state so as to establish a static structure for the composite implant, such that the composite implant supports the adjacent bone.

A composite powder containing microstructured particles obtainable by means of a method in which large particles are combined with small particles, wherein the large particles have an average particle diameter within the range from 10 μm to 10 mm, the large particles comprise at least one polymer, the small particles are arranged on the surface of the large particles and/or distributed inhomogeneously within the large particles, the small particles comprise a calcium salt, the small particles have an average particle size within the range from 0.01 μm to 1.0 mm,
wherein the particles of the composite powder have an average particle size d.sub.50 within the range from 10 μm to less than 200 μm, and the fine-particle fraction of the composite powder is less than 50% by volume. Preferred application areas of the composite powder encompass its use as additive, especially as polymer additive, as additive substance or starting material for compounding, for compounding, for the production of components, for applications in medical technology and/or in microtechnology and/or for the production of foamed articles. The invention therefore also provides components obtainable by selective laser sintering of a composition comprising a composite powder according to the invention, except for implants for uses in the field of neurosurgery, oral surgery, jaw surgery, facial surgery, neck surgery, nose surgery and ear surgery as well as hand surgery, foot surgery, thorax surgery, rib surgery and shoulder surgery.

A system for the therapeutic treatment of joints comprising a composite material comprising a biodegradable polymer matrix and a plurality of piezoelectric particles adapted to generate local electric charges in response to an external stimulation made by means of ultrasound, said plurality of piezoelectric particles being dispersed in the matrix. The composite material also comprises a plurality of stamina cells dispersed in the biodegradable polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon-based particles. The system also comprises a releasing device, arranged to deposit the composite material in a joint cavity at predetermined areas of the cartilage, and a stimulator device arranged to emit ultrasound at a predetermined frequency, a predetermined intensity and for a predetermined time of application, in such a way that, when the device is located near a joint wherein the composite material has been deposited, said ultrasound stimulate the plurality of piezoelectric particles.