Packable ceramic beads for bone repair

Abstract

Adherent packed beds of ceramic beads, each comprising a ceramic body coated with a biodegradable polymer, and fabric bags containing such beads in a packed, self-supporting configuration. The polymeric coating provides some resilience to a packed bed of the ceramic beads, and prevents the beads from moving with respect to each other when placed under stress, leading to reduced breakage. The ceramic beads desirably are osteoconductive, and preferably are formed of a ceramic material that is resorbed during bone growth, such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, or mixtures of these materials. The beads may contain, either internally or on their surfaces or both, a bone morphogenic protein, and the latter may also be included in the biodegradable polymer coatings on the beads.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to coated ceramic beads that are packable to form a bone substitute material.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Proper bone healing and subsequent favorable bone remodeling are dependent on maintaining stability between bone fragments, and on maintaining physiologic strain levels. Successful bone graft procedures commonly require an osteoconductive matrix providing a scaffold for bone in-growth, osteoinductive factors providing chemical agents that induce bone regeneration and repair, osteogenic cells providing the basic building blocks for bone regeneration by their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and a substantially stable implant site. Current bone graft materials include autografts, allografts, and a variety of artificial or synthetic bone substitute materials.[0003]For structural bone repair materials to be conveniently used, they must be capable of being formed into complex shapes that are designed to f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes ceramic beads that are coated with a biodegradable polymer to make them easier to move and less prone to breaking. The polymer coating also makes the beads less likely to absorb impact forces. The beads can be used as a bone substitute material or in an article to replace or stabilize bone. The beads have a continuous supportive framework of struts that create interconnected openings for bone growth. Overall, the ceramic beads have improved properties and can be used in orthopedic procedures."

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, the beads themselves may actually break when subjected to packing forces.

It is desirable to inhibit such movement also, inasmuch as such movement may create local configurations of high stress, leading to bead fracture.

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