Various embodiments of tantalum- and/or niobium-containing glasses and cements as well as uses thereof are described herein. For example, in an embodiment, the glasses comprise a transition metal pentoxide such as tantalum pentoxide and/or niobium pentoxide present in the glass in an amount of less than 2.0 mol %, based on the total composition of the glass, glass polyalkenoate cements prepared from such glasses and uses of such cements, for example, for sternal closure or fixation, stabilization and/or repair of a fracture in a bone in the wrist, elbow, knee, shoulder, spine and/or hip.

A glass, glass ceramic, or ceramic bead is described, with an internal porous scaffold microstructure that is surrounded be an amorphous shield. The shield serves to protect the internal porous microstructure of the shield while increasing the overall strength of the porous microstructure and improve the flowability of the beads either by themselves or in devices such as biologically degradable putty that would be used in bone or soft tissue augmentation or regeneration. The open porosity present inside the bead will allow for enhanced degradability in-vivo as compared to solid particles or spheres and also promote the growth of tissues including but not limited to all types of bone, soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves.

Bioactive glass compositions, composites of the bioactive glass compositions with polymers, and 3D printable filaments made from the same, along with methods of making and using the same, are described. In some embodiments, the compositions, composites, and filaments have antibacterial activity.

The present invention relates to a crystallized glass ceramic comprising 30 wt % to 40 wt % of each of CaSiO.sub.3, Ca.sub.10(PO.sub.4).sub.6(OH).sub.2, and Ca.sub.2Mg(Si.sub.2O.sub.7); a crystallized glass ceramic composition comprising CaSiO.sub.3, Ca.sub.10(PO.sub.4).sub.6(OH).sub.2, and Ca.sub.2Mg(Si.sub.2O.sub.7) in a predetermined weight ratio; a bone graft material comprising the glass ceramic; and an intervertebral spacer or medical device for replacement of bone tissue, which is manufactured using the bone graft material.

A gallium silica glass composition is described. The glass can be used in variety of biomedical applications

A glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic bead is described, with an internal porous scaffold microstructure that is surrounded by an amorphous shield. The shield serves to protect the internal porous microstructure of the shield while increasing the overall strength of the porous microstructure and improve the flowability of the beads either by themselves or in devices such as biologically degradable putty that would be used in bone or soft tissue augmentation or regeneration. The open porosity present inside the bead will allow for enhanced degradability in-vivo as compared to solid particles or spheres and also promote the growth of tissues including but not limited to all types of bone, soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.

Compositions and methods for glass composites suitable for tissue augmentation, biomedical, and cosmetic applications are provided. The glass microsphere component of the composites are biologically inert, non-reactive and act as a nearly permanent tissue filler. One embodiment provides a tissue augmentation composite containing an effective amount of solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres, porous wall hollow glass microspheres, or combinations thereof with a suitable biocompatible matrix to serve as a bulking agent when injected into a patient. The compositions can be used for soft or hard tissue augmentation as well as delivery of cargos on demand.

Compositions and methods for glass composites suitable for tissue augmentation, biomedical, and cosmetic applications are provided. The glass microsphere component of the composites are biologically inert, non-reactive and act as a nearly permanent tissue filler. One embodiment provides a tissue augmentation composite containing an effective amount of solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres, porous wall hollow glass microspheres, or combinations thereof with a suitable biocompatible matrix to serve as a bulking agent when injected into a patient. The compositions can be used for soft or hard tissue augmentation as well as delivery of cargos on demand.

A biocompatible glass substrate with through electrodes includes a glass plate of a biocompatible glass, and through electrodes made of a biocompatible metal that are provided by penetrating the glass plate. A biocompatible electronic device using this is the biocompatible electronic device including a biocompatible glass substrate with through electrode having a glass plate of a biocompatible glass, and through electrodes made of a biocompatible metal provided by penetrating the glass plate, and an electric/electronic device sealed onto the above described glass plate and is electrically connected to the above described through electrodes, and has bumps for connection on the through electrodes of the biocompatible electronic device.

A method for preparing a sol-gel derived SiO.sub.2 having a very fast bioresorption rate where a sol-gel derived SiO.sub.2 is prepared from a sol comprising water, an alkoxide or inorganic silicate and a lower alcohol using a mineral acid or a base as a catalyst and the sol is aged and dried. The method uses a pH from 1.5 to 2.5, a molar ratio of water to the alkoxide or inorganic silicate of 0.5 to 2.5, a molar ratio of alcohol to the alkoxide or inorganic silicate is 0.5; and the sol is either let to gel without induced changes of composition and without forced drying of the sol, or a change of composition is induced; and within a time of 30 minutes, from the induced change forced drying of the sol is carried out or initiated.