Provided are a biodegradable polymer scaffold including bioactive materials and methods of manufacturing the same. The biodegradable polymer scaffold, preventing inflammatory responses caused by acidic substances produced during a degradation process, has easily controllable mechanical strength, and includes bioactive materials derived from cells of target tissues, and thus may induce tissue regeneration more effectively.

The present invention discloses a highly stretchable matrix, comprising mesh of lattice structures of microfibrillar filaments, having pore size enlargeable up to 8 times by moving the microfibrillar filaments perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the microfibrillar filaments without losing its integrity. The invention also pertains to a method of preparing said highly stretchable matrix comprising the steps of: electrostatic spinning of the polymeric solution as microfibers, creating an air-flow at the inter-phase of microfibers to completely eliminate the solvent from the surface of the microfibers bundles to avoid inter-fibrillar bonding after collection and dispersing the microfibers in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fibers, 6-12 times the original width using a dispersion unit to obtain a stretch responsive fibrillar matrix.

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.

An osteoimplant composite comprising a plurality of particles of an inorganic material, a bone substitute material, a bone-derived material, or any combination thereof; and a polymer material with which the particles are combined. The composite is either naturally moldable or flowable, or it can be made moldable or settable. After implantation, the composite may be set to provide mechanical strength to the implant. The inventive composite have the advantage of being able to fill irregularly shape implantation site while at the same time being settable to provide the mechanical strength required for most orthopedic applications. The invention also provides methods of using and preparing the moldable and flowable composites.

An injectable composite material for bone repair comprises a biological tissue material and bioceramics in order to serve as a three-dimensional scaffold for bone regeneration. The biological tissue material consists of microfibers having a naturally cross-linked structure without additional physical or chemical cross-linking, has superior biological compatibility, and can be slowly and completely degraded in vivo. The bioceramics in the composite material serves as a reinforcing phase. When combining the biological tissue material with the bioceramics, the composite material provides a template for bone tissue regeneration to effectively induce bone growth. The injectable composite material for bone repair can be used to fill bone defects, particularly critical-sized bone defects, and can be combined with a biological agent such as bone marrow to improve its biological activity. Therefore, the composite material can be widely used to repair bone defects caused by trauma, tumor resection, osteonecrosis, and infection.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a medical material for replacing a hard tissue defect and a medical material produced therefrom. More specifically, in the present invention, powders of bioactive glass are press-molded, and are then subjected to a first heat treatment at a relatively low temperature below the glass transition temperature of bioactive glass. Then, the resultant is processed into a desired shape and then subjected to a second heat treatment at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of bioactive glass. Accordingly, the present invention provides a medical material which can be customized to a desired shape of a hard tissue defect in a living body and minimize thermal shock, and which is capable of exhibiting a bone fusion property, while overcoming the low compressive strength drawback of hydroxyapatite, which is an existing hard tissue replacement material currently in use.

A material or biomaterial comprising silicic acid condensates having a low degree of cross-linking, and methods for its production are subject-matter of the invention. A method for the production of silicic acid structures having a low degree of cross-linking is disclosed, wherein a sol is produced, wherein further condensation is prevented when specific cross-linking of the silicic acid is reached, wherein, preferably, structures having a size of 0.5-1000 nm are produced, e.g. polyhedral structures or aggregates of the same. Further condensation can be prevented by means of mixing with a polymer. In one embodiment, this comprises nano-structured, silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) having a low degree of cross-linking that is embedded in a polymer matrix. The material can be used in medicine for therapeutic purposes, and can enter into direct contact with biological tissue of the body in this connection. This material herein enters into chemical, physical, and biological interactions with the corresponding biological systems. It can herein be decomposed, and can act as a supplier for the silicic acid required for metabolism. Furthermore, it can have a supportive or shielding effect. It can be present as a granulate, microparticles, fiber, and as a woven or nonwoven fabric produced therefrom, or as a layer on implants or wound dressings. The material can be used as a medical device or as a nutritional supplement.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of tissue repair and regeneration. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to medical devices, materials or constructs, such as conductive biocompatible polymers having one or more networks of metal nanowires that enhance tissue repair and regeneration using electromagnetic fields.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of tissue repair and regeneration. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to medical devices, materials or constructs, such as conductive biocompatible polymers having one or more networks of metal nanowires that enhance tissue repair and regeneration using electromagnetic fields.

A scaffold is provided, the scaffold comprising: at least one inlet tube; at least one outlet tube; and a plurality of porous elongated microtubes, wherein each one of said porous elongated microtube has an inner diameter of 5-100 micrometers, wherein said plurality of elongated microtubes extend from said at least one inlet tube to said at least one outlet tube and is in fluid communication thereto, Further provided is a method for producing and using the scaffold, such as for tissue engineering.