To provide a sliding member having improved wear resistance, and a method of manufacturing the sliding member. A femoral head ball according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a composite ceramic containing alumina and at least one oxide other than alumina. A surface roughness Ra of the sliding surface when the femoral head ball slides against a constituent member constituting an artificial joint is not more than 0.01 μm. The sliding surface includes a plurality of recessed portions each having an opening diameter of not more than 2 μm.

An intervertebral fusion device includes a structural ceramic body. The structural ceramic body has a bottom surface, a top surface, a peripheral surface connected between the bottom surface and the top surface, and at least one pore channel penetrating the bottom surface and the top surface. The inner surface of the pore channel is either a convex curved surface or a funnel-shaped surface. For the pore channel having the convex curved surface, the pore diameter of the pore channel gradually expands from the center of the pore channel to the top surface and the bottom surface. The pore diameter can also gradually expand from the bottom surface to the top surface. The peripheral surface of the structural ceramic body is wavy or zigzag.

Described herein are methods that result in less cell death resulting from myocardial infarction than would otherwise occur in an individual who has suffered myocardial infarction. Also described are compositions useful in reducing cell death post myocardial infarction.

An aluminoborate glass composition, including B.sub.2O.sub.3, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, P.sub.2O.sub.5, Na.sub.2O, and CaO, as defined herein. Also disclosed are bioactive compositions including the disclosed aluminoborate glass composition, a suitable fluid, and at least one live cell. Also disclosed is method of limiting the amount of boron released into an aqueous solution from a disclosed aluminoborate-containing glass composition as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of proliferating cells on a bioactive substrate as defined herein.

A biocompatible composite material for controlled release is disclosed, comprising a biocompatible metal oxide structure with a loaded network of pores. The pore network of the biocompatible composite material is filled with a uniformly distributed biologically active micellizing amphiphilic molecule, the size of these pores ranging from about 0.5 to about 100 nanometers. The material is characterized in that when exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), the controlled release of the active amphiphilic molecule is predominantly diffusion-driven over time.

The invention relates to a composition for the release of an active ingredient, comprising a porous matrix, a filled carrier in the matrix and the active ingredient in the carrier. The invention is suitable for the treatment of bone cancers.

A ceramic composite material and a method for producing same. The ceramic composite material has a ceramic matrix comprising zirconium oxide and at least one secondary phase dispersed therein. The matrix is composed of zirconium oxide as at least 51 vol.-% of composite material, and the secondary phase is in a proportion of 1 to 49 vol.-% of composite material, wherein 90 to 99% of the zirconium oxide is present in the tetragonal phase based on the total zirconium oxide portion. The tetragonal phase of the zirconium oxide is stabilized by at least one member selected from the group consisting of chemical stabilization and mechanical stabilization. The ceramic composite is damage-tolerant.

The present invention relates to a method of fabricating an improved lithium silicate glass ceramic and to that material for the manufacture of blocks for dental appliances using a CAD/CAM process and hot pressing system. The lithium silicate material has a chemical composition that is different from those reported in the prior art with 1 to 10% of germanium dioxide in final composition. The softening points are close to the crystallization final temperature of 800° C. indicating that the samples will support the temperature process without shape deformation.

The invention relates to a composition for the release of an active ingredient, comprising a porous matrix, a filled carrier in the matrix and the active ingredient in the carrier. The invention is suitable for the treatment of bone cancers.

A process for producing medical devices with functional surfaces, e.g., ceramic implants having bone-affine surfaces, and to medical devices produced in such a manner.