The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing a restructured hydrogel, including forming a hydrogel containing a first polymer, unidirectionally shrinking and dehydrating the hydrogel, and additionally cross-linking and rehydrating the dehydrated hydrogel.

Implantable medical devices, composite bioactive polymeric biomaterials for forming such devices, and methods for manufacturing these biomaterials and devices are provided. The implantable medical devices are engineered, at least in part, from a composite material comprising a polymer component and a bioactive component incorporated therein to provide bioactivity to the polymeric component for the improved treatment of bone or other purposes. The implantable device may comprise a main body formed of a polymeric framework, and a bioactive glass additive incorporated into the rigid polymeric framework. The implantable device may also comprise a main body and a bioactive component that includes a polyarylretherketone (PAEK) polymer component and a bioactive additive component. The bioactive additive component is incorporated substantially throughout the polymer component to further enhance cellular activity to promote bone fusion and/or regeneration.

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.

Reinforced biocomposite materials. According to at least some embodiments, medical implants are provided that incorporate novel structures, alignments, orientations and forms comprised of such reinforced bioabsorbable materials, as well as methods of treatment thereof.

Reinforced biocomposite materials. According to at least some embodiments, medical implants are provided that incorporate novel structures, alignments, orientations and forms comprised of such reinforced bioabsorbable materials, as well as methods of treatment thereof.

The present invention is directed to compositions containing polymer matrix, fiber and/or additives which are suitable for load bearing applications for medical devices. The matrix can be formed from a group of polymers which resorb inside the body after implantation. These compositions contain reinforcing fibers that are incorporated into a resorbable polymer matrix to improve properties such as mechanical. The reinforcing fibers can be resorbable, non-resorbable, natural, or metallic. Additives can be incorporated into the matrix material or the fibers or both to provide a secondary effect. These additives can be bioceramics to provide an osteoconductive effect; antimicrobial particles such as silver; coloring agents, and radiopaque additives to make the implants visible under fluoroscopy. The additives may also contribute to improve mechanical properties. The Composite composition with Matrix, Fibers and/or additives can provide enhanced functionality of mechanical, Osteoconductive and tailored degradation characteristics that can result in superior properties conventionally not achievable for Bioresorbable composites.

The present invention is directed to compositions containing polymer matrix, fiber and/or additives which are suitable for load bearing applications for medical devices. The matrix can be formed from a group of polymers which resorb inside the body after implantation. These compositions contain reinforcing fibers that are incorporated into a resorbable polymer matrix to improve properties such as mechanical. The reinforcing fibers can be resorbable, non-resorbable, natural, or metallic. Additives can be incorporated into the matrix material or the fibers or both to provide a secondary effect. These additives can be bioceramics to provide an osteoconductive effect; antimicrobial particles such as silver; coloring agents, and radiopaque additives to make the implants visible under fluoroscopy. The additives may also contribute to improve mechanical properties. The Composite composition with Matrix, Fibers and/or additives can provide enhanced functionality of mechanical, Osteoconductive and tailored degradation characteristics that can result in superior properties conventionally not achievable for Bioresorbable composites.

A method of making a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol is provided, the method comprising reacting a thioketal ester with a non-pyrophoric reducing agent to form a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol. The hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol can be 2,2-(propane-2,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)) diethanol. The non-pyrophoric reducing agent can be a sodium aluminum hydride, for example, sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride. The thioketal ester can be dimethyl 2,2-(propane-2,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)) diacetate. A biodegradable matrix prepared by reacting a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol with an isocyanate is provided. A method of making a biodegradable polyurethane composite is also provided.

A method of making a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol is provided, the method comprising reacting a thioketal ester with a non-pyrophoric reducing agent to form a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol. The hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol can be 2,2-(propane-2,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)) diethanol. The non-pyrophoric reducing agent can be a sodium aluminum hydride, for example, sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride. The thioketal ester can be dimethyl 2,2-(propane-2,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)) diacetate. A biodegradable matrix prepared by reacting a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol with an isocyanate is provided. A method of making a biodegradable polyurethane composite is also provided.

The present invention relates to a carrier composition for particulate and granular bone substitute materials which is a hydrogel comprising a mixture of ethylene oxide (EO)-propylene oxide (PO) block copolymers and silica nanoparticles embedded therein. The present invention further relates to a bone substitute material containing osteoconductive and/or osteoinductive particles or granules in addition to the novel carrier composition. Processes for producing the novel carrier composition and the novel bone substitute material are likewise provided in the context of the invention.