The present invention relates to a macroscopically alignable, injectable, soft hydrogel composition which is able to form an anisotropic structure in vivo, after injection, to generate healthy functioning tissue and regenerate injured or diseased soft tissue.

A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

A scaffold has a spiral configuration and gradient porosity designed to facilitate the healing of bone injuries. To make the scaffold, a sheet of polymeric material or the like is rolled into a spiral shape. In one embodiment, the resulting scaffold has an outer porous layer with high porosity, and a comparatively less porous inner layer in order to facilitate vascularization and promote recovery. The pores can be filled with a degradable polymer and/or growth factors, bioactive molecules, bactericidal drugs and/or other compositions to further promote recovery.

This invention relates to anti-microbial active particles, compositions and uses thereof for inhibiting bacterial growth on surfaces or devices. This invention further discloses methods of making such anti-microbial active particles.

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.

The invention is a prosthetic joint, for example, knee joint, including a first joint component which is preferably polyetheretherketone containing barium sulphate and a second joint component which is preferably a polyolefin.

The invention is a prosthetic joint, for example, knee joint, including a first joint component which is preferably polyetheretherketone containing barium sulphate and a second joint component which is preferably a polyolefin.

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 material comprising an ionically conducting polymer (ICP) positioned between and in direct contact with two electronically conducting polymers (ECP).