A bone regeneration material has a cotton-wool like structure formed of a plurality of electrospun fibers that contain bound BMP-2 through ?-TCP binding peptide. The electrospun biodegradable fiber contains 25-65 vol % of ?-TCP particles distributed in the fiber such that a portion of the ?-TCP particles is exposed on a surface of the electrospun fiber and the remaining portion of the ?-TCP particles is buried in the fiber. ?-TCP binding peptides that are fused with BMP-2 are bound to the ?-TCP particles so that BMP-2 is tethered to ?-TCP particles on the surface of the fibers. Upon implantation of the bone regeneration material in a bone defect site of a human body, BMP-2 that are tethered to ?-TCP particles on the surface of the bone regeneration material promotes proliferation and differentiation of cells at the bone defect site.

A semi-synthetic hybrid material having a pH from 7 to 7.4 includes an inorganic fraction and a cross-linked organic fraction. The method for producing this material, and osteosynthesis devices or implants made of semi-synthetic hybrid material are also described.

A nanofibrous mat comprising: electrospun nanofibres forming said mat; and ceramic particles dispersed throughout said nanofibres and comprising a ceramic matrix and a dopant releasably encapsulated within said ceramic matrix, wherein the ceramic particles are dispersed throughout the nanofibres during electrospinning of the nanofibres, whereby said dopant is protected by said ceramic matrix during said electrospinning.

The present invention provides a synthetic implantable scaffold comprising a plurality of polymer fibres in contact with a composition comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer and a biocompatible ceramic material. Preferably the polymer fibres are formed from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and are in the form of a bundle of fibres. Preferably the implantable scaffold comprises a plurality of bundles of individual polymer fibres, which may be in the form of a braid. The hydrogel-forming polymer is preferably polyvinyl alcohol for mimicking the fibre-ECM hierarchical structure of native tendons or ligaments. The biocompatible ceramic material is preferably Hardystonite (Ca.sub.2ZnSi.sub.2O.sub.7) doped with Sr, Mg or Ba. The synthetic implantable scaffold of the invention is particularly suited as a synthetic ligament or tendon. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a synthetic implantable scaffold, and use of the implantable scaffold for partial or full tendon or ligament repair.

The present invention provides a synthetic implantable scaffold comprising a plurality of polymer fibres in contact with a composition comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer and a biocompatible ceramic material. Preferably the polymer fibres are formed from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and are in the form of a bundle of fibres. Preferably the implantable scaffold comprises a plurality of bundles of individual polymer fibres, which may be in the form of a braid. The hydrogel-forming polymer is preferably polyvinyl alcohol for mimicking the fibre-ECM hierarchical structure of native tendons or ligaments. The biocompatible ceramic material is preferably Hardystonite (Ca.sub.2ZnSi.sub.2O.sub.7) doped with Sr, Mg or Ba. The synthetic implantable scaffold of the invention is particularly suited as a synthetic ligament or tendon. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a synthetic implantable scaffold, and use of the implantable scaffold for partial or full tendon or ligament repair.

The present application provides an orthopedic implant or a part thereof, comprising biodegradable magnesium alloy comprising magnesium and Ca in the range of 0.550-0.700 wt %, Zn in the range of 0.400-0.700 wt %, and Fe 50 ppm or less, the biodegradable magnesium alloy consisting of two phases comprising a first phase comprising magnesium and Zn and a second phase less noble than the first phase, the second phase comprising Mg.sub.2Ca precipitates larger than nano-sized. The present application also provides a method for preparing the biodegradable magnesium alloy, a method for preparing the orthopedic implant or the part thereof, and a method for treating a subject in need of therapy for a medical condition of a bone.

Described are fibrous materials comprising a plurality of fibers having a longitudinal alignment gradient and/or a longitudinal composition gradient. Also described are methods of preparing the fibrous materials thereof and methods of treating organ or tissue damage with the fibrous materials.

A solidifying prepolymeric implant composition comprising a biocompatible prepolymer and an optional filler. One such implant composition is a polyurethane implant composition comprising an isocyanate, such as hydroxymethylenediisocyanate (HMDI) and an alcohol, such as polycaprolactonediol (PCL diol). The compositions of the invention are useful for improving bone structure in patients by applying the solidifying implant composition to bone, reinforcing bone structure, improving load bearing capacity and/or aiding healing of microfractures.

A solidifying prepolymeric implant composition comprising a biocompatible prepolymer and an optional filler. One such implant composition is a polyurethane implant composition comprising an isocyanate, such as hydroxymethylenediisocyanate (HMDI) and an alcohol, such as polycaprolactonediol (PCL diol). The compositions of the invention are useful for improving bone structure in patients by applying the solidifying implant composition to bone, reinforcing bone structure, improving load bearing capacity and/or aiding healing of microfractures.

A medical implant comprising a plurality of layers, each layer comprising a polymer and a plurality of uni-directionally aligned continuous reinforcement fibers.