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.

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 process of preparing a glass comprising: (a) heating a mixture of precursor chemicals to a melt temperature to form a melt, the melt being characterized in that quenching the melt at or above a threshold temperature results in a spinodal phase separation, and quenching the melt below the threshold temperature results in a droplet phase separation; and (b) quenching the melt at or above the threshold temperature in a preheated mold to form the glass composition having the spinodal phase separation.

A method of manufacturing a resorbable, macroporous bioactive glass scaffold comprising approximately 24-45% CaO, 34-50% SiO.sub.2, 0-25% Na.sub.2O, 5-17% P.sub.2O.sub.5, 0-5% MgO and 0-1% CaF.sub.2 by mass percent, produced by mixing with pore forming agents and specified heat treatments.

Provided herein are novel nanoporous glass fibers, and methods of preparing and using such fibers. In some embodiments, articles are made from particular glass starting materials, such as soda-lime phosphosilicate glass fabricated by melt-quench methods. The articles include nanoporous fibers that can be used alone, or sewn, woven, bundled, and otherwise incorporated to form nanoporous articles, including bioactive articles.

The present invention relates to a pH buffered bioactive glass, and its preparation process and use. The pH buffered bioactive glass comprises SiO.sub.2, CaO, Na.sub.2O, and P.sub.2O.sub.5, and further comprises solid acidic particles or a Tris buffer solution. The pH buffered bioactive glass can regulate the pH of formulations comprising bioactive glass, and has a good therapeutic effect with a low dosage.

Compositions and methods for improving the regeneration of soft tissues as a result of injury or disease are provided. Various compositions are disclosed including a bioactive glass composition derived from calcining a reactant composition. Methods for treating injured or diseased skeletal muscle comprising contacting the injured or diseased skeletal muscle with the bioactive glass composition are also disclosed.

A sinterable and/or fusible ceramic mass is disclosed, having a long-term stable compound of crystalline phases of apatite, wollastonite, titanite and optionally cristobalite, which is stabilized by a glass phase, and a production process therefor. The ceramic mass can be obtained by sintering a mixture comprising at least the constituents SiO.sub.2, CaO, P.sub.2O.sub.5, MgO, CaF.sub.2 and TiO.sub.2, on their own or in combination with at least one alkali oxide, the alkali oxide being chosen from NaO.sub.2 and K.sub.2O. The invention further relates to uses of the sintered material in the form of shaped articles for strengthening, cleaning, roughening or polishing surfaces of medical implants or as a final prosthesis.

Acid-resistant and biosoluble glass compositions and products made therefrom. The glass compositions exhibit acid resistance, durability in white water as may be used in a wet laid fabrication process, and good biosolubility. In another aspect, a glass fiber mat is made from such a glass composition, and may be used in the manufacture of lead-acid batteries, for example as a pasting material or battery separator.

A material that is less populated by biofilms than known materials and is well tolerated by the body is provided. The material is an element introducible into or attachable on a human or animal body and includes a glass and/or glass ceramic and/or ceramic material at least in some areas thereof, which inhibits the formation of biofilms and/or on which human or animal cells grow if the element is introduced into the human or animal body or attached thereto, wherein the glass and/or glass ceramic material comprises at least: SiO.sub.2 in a range from 60 to 75 wt % and ZnO in a range from 1 to 7 wt %.