Fiber-reinforced, porous, biodegradable implant device
AssigneeOsteoBiologics, Inc.
InventorsMichael Slivka, Gabriele G. Niederauer, Kristine Kieswetter, Neil C. Leatherbury
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Abstract
A fiber-reinforced, polymeric implant material useful for tissue engineering, and method of making same are provided. The fibers are preferably aligned predominantly parallel to each other, but may also be aligned in a single plane. The implant material comprises a polymeric matrix, preferably a biodegradable matrix, having fibers substantially uniformly distributed therein. In preferred embodiments, porous tissue scaffolds are provided which facilitate regeneration of load-bearing tissues such as articular cartilage and bone. Non-porous fiber-reinforced implant materials are also provided herein useful as permanent implants for load-bearing sites.
Claims11
A fiber-reinforced biodegradable implant material comprising a biodegradable polymeric matrix having biodegradable fibers of a length no geater than about 1 cm substantially uniformly distributed therein in predominantly parallel orientation, wherein the ratio of the volume of the fibers to the sum of the volume of the fibers and the volume of the polymeric material forming said polymeric matrix is between about 0.05 and about 0.5.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.