摘要:
A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material. As the preferred material from which the resorbable interbody fusion device is manufactured is most likely to be a polymer that can produce acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation, the device preferably further includes a neutralization compound, or buffer, in sufficiently high concentration to decrease the rate of pH change as the device degrades, in order to prevent sterile abscess formation caused by the accumulation of unbuffered acidic products in the area of the implant.
摘要:
A bioerodible implantable material, comprising a bioerodible polymer that produces acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation, and a buffering compound that buffers the acidic products and maintains the local pH within a desired range. The buffer compound acts to reduce the inflammatory foreign body response generated by the acidic products and reduces the sterile abscess condition that occurs at the site of the bioerodible implant materials of the prior art. Materials made according to the invention may be used for internal fixation devices (IFDs) for bone repair.
摘要:
A biodegradable polymeric multiphasic release system of one or more biodegradable bursting units capable of delivering biologically active substances in a burst or pulse at predetermined times and a method for constructing those units is disclosed. The individual bursting units of the system may take the form of a biodegradable, membrane coated capsule surrounding a core material which may include an active agent. The membrane ruptures after a predetermined time upon exposure to water or bodily, or other aqueous environmental fluids. The bursting units may be used in any situation in which a controlled pulsed release of an active substance is desired. The predetermined time release of each bursting unit is controlled by the composition of the core material, the initial radius and wall thickness of the membrane and the porosity of the membrane. The core material may also contain a chemical composition which generates gas as fluid is drawn into the bursting unit thus adding an additional design variable for predetermining bursts.
摘要:
A method is disclosed for removing pollutants from the exhaust of combustion systems burning fuels containing substantial amounts of sulfur and nitrogen. An exemplary method of the invention involves the formation and reaction of a sorbent comprising calcium benzoate. The calcium benzoate is either dry-sprayed (in the form of a fine powder) or wet-sprayed in an aqueous solution in a high temperature environment such as a combustion chamber. The latter technique is feasible since calcium benzoate is a water-soluble form of calcium. When the dispersed particles of calcium benzoate are heated to a high temperature, the organic benzoate burns off and fine calcium oxide particles are formed. These particles are cenospheric (hollow) and have thin and highly porous walls, thus, affording optimum external and internal accessibility for reacting with toxic gaseous emissions such as SO.sub.2. Further, the combustion of the organic benzoate portion of the sorbent results in the conversion of NO.sub.x to N.sub.2.
摘要:
A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25–100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material. As the preferred material from which the resorbable interbody fusion device is manufactured is most likely to be a polymer that can produce acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation, the device preferably further includes a neutralization compound, or buffer, in sufficiently high concentration to decrease the rate of pH change as the device degrades, in order to prevent sterile abscess formation caused by the accumulation of unbuffered acidic products in the area of the implant.
摘要:
Lignite is treated with ligninase source to enhance its reactivity. In one embodiment, lignite is gasified in a subterranean reactor by simultaneous digestion by anaerobic ligninase producers, such as termite microflora, and acid formers and methanogens. In another embodiment, the lignite is treated with ligninase prior to digestion by the acid formers and methanogens. If desired, the lignite may be pretreated by alkaline hydrolysis.
摘要:
Coal is desulfurized by oxidation to convert organic sulfur moieties in the coal matrix to sulfates, and by treatment with a sulfatase to cleave the sulfates and thereby remove organic sulfur.
摘要:
A novel class of polymer-based products for use in physiological environment, e.g. for use as sutures or implanted, medicine-bearing compositions for use in controlled-rate medication, or the like. The advantageous polymers on which these products are based are condensation polymers formed of Krebs cycle acid-type compounds and a physiologically-tolerable polyol type compound such as glycerol or the like.
摘要:
A bioerodible cement system, which, upon mixing of the system parts, forms a cured bioerodible cement, said system comprising a first part comprising a first bioerodible polymer capable of producing acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation; and a second part comprising a second bioerodible scaffolding polymer which upon crosslinking provides a biopolymeric scaffolding or internal reinforcement for said cured cement is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the second bioerodible polymer comprises polypropylene fumarate (PPF), which is cross-linked during curing, desirably by a vinyl monomer such as vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) to form the biopolymeric scaffolding which provides the cured cement with dimensional and geometric stability.
摘要:
A biopolymer film and other materials that exhibit nonlinear optical (NLO) properties and a method for making this film. Alignment of biopolymer molecules, which is required for NLO phenomena, is achieved by application of an electric field parallel to the surface of a biopolymer solution as the film is formed. In one embodiment, a solution of poly(.gamma.-benzyl-L-glutamate), PBLG, in methylene chloride is employed. Upon application of an electric field, laminar structures perpendicular to both the field direction and to the film surface are formed. These ordered structures are captured in the film upon evaporation of the biopolymer solvent.