Abstract:
The present invention relates, in general to methods for treating degenerative cartilage in an individual comprising administering a composition that increases bone morphogenic protein (BMP) expression directly into injured or damaged cartilage, such as in a vertebral disc or a joint, wherein the composition is in a controlled release formulation.
Abstract:
A method for forming spacers of different sizes includes the following steps. First a substrate is provided, which has a first element, a second element, a first material layer and a second material layer thereon. A first dry etching is performed to remove part of the second material layer to form a first spacer by the first element and to form a second side wall by the second element, so that the first material layer between the first spacer and the second side wall is exposed to become a damaged first material layer. A trimming procedure is performed to trim the damaged first material layer. A mask is used to cover the first element, the first spacer and part of the first material layer then a wet etching is performed to remove the second side wall.
Abstract:
A cage for facilitating fusion of bones, such as vertebrae, or fusion of adjacent bone surfaces is disclosed. In one form, the cage includes a plurality of spaced apart walls comprising a biodegradable polymeric material (e.g., polycaprolactone); an osteoconductive mineral coating (e.g., a calcium compound) on at least a portion of the walls; and a bioactive agent (e.g., a bone morphogenetic protein) associated with the polymeric material and/or the coating. The bioactive agent is present in amount that induces ossification between the bones or adjacent bone surfaces. The cage may also include a fixation plate connected to at least one of the walls.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing biodegradable/bioresorbable tissue augmentation/reconstruction devices by defining material density distributions at selected time points during a material degradation lifecycle. These different density distributions are then superposed using general linear and/or nonlinear functions that could include both time and degraded base stiffness weighting factors. The material density distribution may be created using topology optimization, image-based design or computed aided design methods to create a degradable device that retains sufficient physical properties (ie modulus, strength, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity) through the material degradation lifecycle process. Thus, any bulk degrading material can be designed using this process for any tissue augmentation/reconstruction application.
Abstract:
A cage for facilitating fusion of bones, such as vertebrae, or fusion of adjacent bone surfaces is disclosed. In one form, the cage includes a plurality of spaced apart walls comprising a biodegradable polymeric material (e.g., polycaprolactone); an osteoconductive mineral coating (e.g., a calcium compound) on at least a portion of the walls; and a bioactive agent (e.g., a bone morphogenetic protein) associated with the polymeric material and/or the coating. The bioactive agent is present in amount that induces ossification between the bones or adjacent bone surfaces. The cage may also include a fixation plate connected to at least one of the walls.
Abstract:
A biodegradable implant for use in intertransverse process spinal fusion having an absorbable matrix having a bone generating material disposed therein. A molded biodegradable case being made of bioabsorbable polymer can at least partially surround the absorbable matrix to carry a substantial portion of compression force relative to said absorbable matrix.
Abstract:
A cage for facilitating fusion of bones, such as vertebrae, or fusion of adjacent bone surfaces is disclosed. In one form, the cage includes a plurality of spaced apart walls comprising a biodegradable polymeric material (e.g., polycaprolactone); an osteoconductive mineral coating (e.g., a calcium compound) on at least a portion of the walls; and a bioactive agent (e.g., a bone morphogenetic protein) associated with the polymeric material and/or the coating. The bioactive agent is present in amount that induces ossification between the bones or adjacent bone surfaces. The cage may also include a fixation plate connected to at least one of the walls.
Abstract:
Methods for the engineering and preparation of intervertebral disc repair scaffolds and articulating joint repair scaffolds are disclosed. The methodology utilizes either magnetic resonance images or combined magnetic resonance and computed tomography images as a template for creating either the intervertebral scaffold or the joint repair scaffold (e.g., osteochondral scaffold) with fixation to the underlying bone. The disc scaffold design may include an outer annulus that may contain desired structures and a central nucleus pulposus region that could either contain a designed microstructure or a contained hydrogel. The osteochondral scaffold may include a bone compartment interface with a cartilage compartment. The bone compartment may interface with a cutout portion of the bone through fixation components. Different microstructure designs may be created for the bone and cartilage compartment to represent desired mechanical and mass transport properties. The scaffolds are designed with a microstructure that controls elastic and permeability property distribution within the scaffold.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing biodegradable/bioresorbable tissue augmentation/reconstruction devices by defining material density distributions at selected time points during a material degradation lifecycle. These different density distributions are then superposed using general linear and/or nonlinear functions that could include both time and degraded base stiffness weighting factors. The material density distribution may be created using topology optimization, image-based design or computed aided design methods to create a degradable device that retains sufficient physical properties (ie modulus, strength, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity) through the material degradation lifecycle process. Thus, any bulk degrading material can be designed using this process for any tissue augmentation/reconstruction application.
Abstract:
A method for forming spacers of different sizes includes the following steps. First a substrate is provided, which has a first element, a second element, a first material layer and a second material layer thereon. A first dry etching is performed to remove part of the second material layer to form a first spacer by the first element and to form a second side wall by the second element, so that the first material layer between the first spacer and the second side wall is exposed to become a damaged first material layer. A trimming procedure is performed to trim the damaged first material layer. A mask is used to cover the first element, the first spacer and part of the first material layer then a wet etching is performed to remove the second side wall.