A biocompatible surgical article is provided for cutting biological tissue or implantation in contact therewith. The surgical article has a composition of tungsten carbide—nickel with a percentage of additional metal carbides present. A typical composition in total weight percentages is WC 85 to 95%, Cr.sub.3C.sub.2, Mo.sub.2C, VC each alone or in combination being present from 0 to 2%, and Ni constituting the remainder. The composition is formed to have a mean grain size of between 200 and 800 nm with a particle dispersion index (Pdl) corresponding to (the square of the standard deviation)/(mean grain size) of between 0 and 0.6, and in some embodiments between 0.02 and 0.2.

Provided is an improved breast tissue marker and localization system and method of use. The breast tissue marker and localization system comprising a biocompatible marker and a detector. The biocompatible markers comprise a polymeric binder and a magnetically susceptible material such as an iron oxide nanoparticle wherein the biocompatible marker is suitable for implantation for localization of an area of pathological interest. The detector is capable of detecting a response magnetic field in said biocompatible marker.

The present invention provides an orthopedic implant comprising a continuous reinforced composite filament in a freely predetermined fiber orientation in multiple continuous successive layers, wherein the continuous reinforced composite filament comprises a bioabsorbable polymer matrix and a continuous bioabsorbable reinforcing fiber or fiber bundle, and whereby the continuous bioabsorbable reinforcing fiber or fiber bundle of consecutive layers at least partly intermingles and/or intertwines forming a three dimensionally interlocked continuous fiber structure.

Described herein are co-doped magnesium oxide nanocomposites with antimicrobial properties for industrial and biomedical applications. Methods of inhibiting microbial and/or eliminating microbial growth with the disclosed compounds on biological and inanimate surfaces are also described.

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.

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.

Iron-based biodegradable metals and the method of fabricating are disclosed. The iron-based biodegradable metals, which have an accelerated degradation rate and a yield strength similar to stainless steel, comprises a composite structure of multiple iron layers separated by thin alloying metallic layers. The composite structure are built layer by layer using additive manufacturing technologies. The iron-based biodegradable metals can be fabricated into a small diameter tube for laser cutting into implantable bare metal stents or drug eluting stents with biodegradable polymer coating. The iron-based biodegradable metals can be fabricated and/or machined into orthopedic implants.

A health care and/or entertainment device protective film may be configured to contact human skin, e.g., to limit the transmission of infection by bacteria, fungi, protozoa, prions, and/or viruses. The film may be formed as a nanocomposite film including at least 75 wt. %, relative to total organic matrix weight, of polyethylene, silver particles, and TiO.sub.2 particles, wherein the silver particles and TiO.sub.2 particles are distributed within and/or on an outer surface of the polyethylene, wherein the silver particles have a size of 1 to 1,000 nm, and wherein the TiO.sub.2 particles have a size of 1 to 50 nm. Such films may be applied to health care and/or entertainment devices, including virtual reality googles.

A health care and/or entertainment device protective film may be configured to contact human skin, e.g., to limit the transmission of infection by bacteria, fungi, protozoa, prions, and/or viruses. The film may be formed as a nanocomposite film including at least 75 wt. %, relative to total organic matrix weight, of polyethylene, silver particles, and TiO.sub.2 particles, wherein the silver particles and TiO.sub.2 particles are distributed within and/or on an outer surface of the polyethylene, wherein the silver particles have a size of 1 to 1,000 nm, and wherein the TiO.sub.2 particles have a size of 1 to 50 nm. Such films may be applied to health care and/or entertainment devices, including virtual reality googles.

A health care and/or entertainment device protective film may be configured to contact human skin, e.g., to limit the transmission of infection by bacteria, fungi, protozoa, prions, and/or viruses. The film may be formed as a nanocomposite film including at least 75 wt. %, relative to total organic matrix weight, of polyethylene, silver particles, and TiO.sub.2 particles, wherein the silver particles and TiO.sub.2 particles are distributed within and/or on an outer surface of the polyethylene, wherein the silver particles have a size of 1 to 1,000 nm, and wherein the TiO.sub.2 particles have a size of 1 to 50 nm. Such films may be applied to health care and/or entertainment devices, including virtual reality googles.