Patent Application
20050281856
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to implants for the healing and regeneration of bone and more particularly to an osteoconductive matrix having selective deposits of demineralized bone in channels, passageways, cavities and lumens of the matrix.
2. Description of the Related Art
Implants to encourage the regeneration and healing of bone have come into increasing use. Among the materials used have been autograft (the patient's own bone), allograft (bone from deceased human donors), and synthetic materials such as members of the calcium phosphate family.
Synthetic ceramic materials have been shown to be osteoconductive, i.e., able to conduct the ingrowth of natural bone when placed against adjacent natural bone. This ability is a function primarily of the chemistry and also of the geometry (pore size, etc.) in which the materials are manufactured. Some synthetic ceramic materials are resorbable, meaning that they can eventually disappear through normal biochemical processes and be replaced by natural bone. Implantable ceramic structures have been made for this purpose by three-dimensional printing, by molding and by other methods.
Another useful material has been demineralized bone matrix, which was shown by Urist in 1965 to have properties of stimulating the differentiation of bone progenitor cells into actual bone cells. This property has been termed osteoinductivity. In order to be osteoinductive, demineralized bone matrix has to exist in the form of particles greater than a certain minimum size, typically 100 micrometers. Demineralized bone matrix has been made into a major component of putty, sheet, and other forms which have been flexible, because demineralized bone matrix basically is a soft or spongy material, especially when it is wet. Putty has been suitable to be applied directly to bones during surgical repair. A limited number of solid implant biostructures have been made by molding demineralized bone matrix with a binder. In regard to osteoinductive additives which are not discrete particles, there are also other substances which are known to be osteoinductive, such as bone morphogenetic protein, transforming growth factor beta, etc.
A combination of osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,882. In that patent, which pertains to spinal fusion surgery, it is described that a chamber in a dowel derived from natural bone allograft may be packed with an osteogenic material composition which is described as “including autograft, allograft, xenograft, demineralized bone, synthetic and natural bone graft substitutes, such as bioceramics and polymers, and osteoinductive factors.” However, the fact that this material is described as being packed into a chamber indicates that it does not have definite form.
Elsewhere, the combination of osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity in structures has been accomplished in the sense of soaking a porous osteoconductive structure with an osteoinductive liquid, which occupies pores in the structure. The liquid has contained osteoinductive substances such as bone morphogenetic proteins. However, this approach has only been applicable to osteoinductive substances which are liquids.
In Induction of Bone by a Demineralized Bone Matrix Gel: A Study in a Rat Femoral Defect Model, by John E. Feighan, Dwight Davy, Annamarie Prewett, and Sharon Stevenson, Journal of Orthopaedic Research 13, No. 6, 1995, pp. 881-891); and in A Coralline Hydroxyapatite and Demineralized Bone Matrix Gel Composite for Bone Grafting, by Christopher J. Damien, J. Russell Parsons, Annamarie B. Presett, Frank Huismans, Michael Vanazio and Edwin C. Shors, excerpted from the Fourth World Biomaterials Congress, Apr. 24-28, 1992, Berlin, there is disclosed a porous matrix of a calcium phosphate material whose pores have contained a gel of particles of demineralized bone matrix in a glycerol carrier. The process described in those publications has required that the pores be sufficiently large and the DBM particles be sufficiently small so that the DBM particles can enter the pores. This has involved an inherent conflict or mismatch of dimensional scales. Osteoinductivity of DBM particles generally requires a particle size of at least 100 micrometers, and ability to place particles in pores such as by flowing gel into pores would require that the pores be larger than the DBM particles by some factor. All of this would tend to require pore sizes of at least several hundred micrometers. However, for cell and tissue ingrowth into the pores, it would be desirable for the pore size to be approximately 100 micrometers or smaller. With a conventional biostructure which is of uniform architecture, it has not been possible to satisfy both of these requirements simultaneously.
This conflict in terms of desired pore size has worked against the optimum use of demineralized bone matrix, which is an excellent osteoinductive material, in rigid osteoconductive structures.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a biostructure having a definite structure which is both osteoconductive and osteoinductive, by having a structure which is osteoconductive and which contains particles of demineralized bone matrix as the osteoinductive material. It would be desirable for the DBM particles to be contained in internal features which are sufficiently large to contain the DBM particles, while at the same time providing pores which are smaller than the particles of DBM, which are suitable for the ingrowth of cells and tissue. It would be desirable for the structure to comprise members of the calcium phosphate family such as tricalcium phosphate. It would be desirable for particles of demineralized bone matrix, besides occupying appropriate places, be affixed in those places such that the particles of DBM do not readily move away. It would be desirable for such a biostructure to be able to be manufactured by three-dimensional printing.
The biostructure includes a porous matrix, which may be osteoconductive and may comprise a ceramic such as tricalcium phosphate. In some embodiments, the matrix may comprise polymer or may comprise both ceramic and polymer. The matrix also may comprise one or more channels, recesses or internal region(s), whose size is larger than the size of pores, with the channels, recesses or internal region(s) being suitably dimensioned so as to contain osteoinductive material. The biostructure also may comprise particles of osteoinductive material such as demineralized bone matrix, which may exist in the form of particles greater than a certain minimum size. The particles of demineralized bone matrix may be contained in the interior of the biostructure, or may be attached to the exterior of the biostructure, or both. The biostructure may further comprise another material which holds the osteoinductive particles in place. The biostructure can have a shape suitable for use as any of a variety of bone replacements and can be suitable to be carved at the point of use and suitable to wick bodily fluids. The invention also includes methods of manufacturing such a biostructure. The particles of demineralized bone matrix may be added at a stage later than the manufacturing of the matrix. The biostructure may assembled from more than one piece.
In one embodiment, the invention relates to a biostructure comprising an osteoconductive member defining at least a first macroscopic feature; and a material comprising osteoinductive material within the first macroscopic feature. The first macroscopic feature may be in the form of an interior void or cavity, an external void or cavity, a through-channel, a dead-ended channel, a recess, or an indentation. The osteoconductive member may comprise pores whereby the osteoinductive material is accessible to bodily fluids from outside of the biostructure through the pores of the osteoconductive member. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a biostructure comprising: an osteoconductive member having a first dimension; and a coating of material comprising osteoinductive particles on at least a portion of the surface of the osteoconductive member, wherein the coating has a second dimension that is less than the first dimension. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a biostructure, the method comprising: providing an osteoconductive member; and depositing a material comprising osteoinductive particles in or on the osteoconductive member.
Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the Figures herein.
a shows a rectangular prismatic biostructure with a centrally-located through-channel which contain particles of DBM.
a, 2b, and 2c illustrate similar macro-channel features in biostructures which are of overall cylindrical shape.
The invention includes a biostructure having an overall shape. The biostructure may, first of all, comprise a matrix which is porous. The pores may be characterized by pore sizes which may be in the range of approximately 1 micrometer to approximately 1000 micrometers. In certain embodiments, the pore size distribution has a peak between 50 and 100 micrometers. In one embodiment the matrix may comprise particles which are partially joined directly to each other but still leave some space between themselves in the form of pores. In another embodiment the matrix may comprise particles which are joined to each other by another substance(s). In any embodiment the matrix may be osteoconductive, such as by virtue of the geometry and/or composition of the matrix.
The matrix may further include macroscopic channels which are suitable to be occupied by particles of DBM. The macroscopic channels may have cross-sectional dimensions which, first of all, are greater than approximately three times the average pore diameter, so that the macroscopic channel is distinguishable as being different from a pore. Edges of the matrix may define boundaries of the macroscopic channels. Further, the macroscopic channels may have dimensions which are greater than the dimensions of usefully sized particles of demineralized bone matrix, as described elsewhere herein. The channels may include channels open at both ends, blind channels, surface features resembling tire treads, straight channels, channels with curves or changes of direction, constant-cross-section channels, tapered channels, and intersecting channels. Cross-sectional dimensions of such channels may, for example, be greater than approximately 100 micrometers or in some embodiments greater than approximately 300 micrometers Channels may or may not traverse completely through the matrix, i.e., channels may be either open-ended (through-channels) or closed-ended (dead-ended). Dead-ended channels may be of any depth (length) relative to their cross-sectional dimension, i.e., they may be deep, or they may be shallow, resembling surface indentations. Also the channels may lie along various different planes or have different directions, in any relative combination and orientation. The cross-sectional shape of the channels may be cylindrical, rectangular, or other shape.
The biostructure may further contain macroscopic internal voids which are suitable to be occupied by particles of DBM. A macroscopic internal void may be an internal region not occupied by matrix, which has a cross-sectional dimension of at least 200 micrometers and in some embodiments at least 400 micrometers. The macroscopic internal voids may have cross-sectional dimensions which, first of all, are greater than approximately three times the average pore diameter, so that the macroscopic internal void is distinguishable as being different from a pore. In some embodiments, macroscopic internal voids may be connected by at least one channel to the exterior, but in other embodiments it is not necessary.
In some embodiments, macroscopic internal voids may have access or connection to the exterior surface of the biostructure. In such instance, macroscopic internal void may have a cross-sectional dimension which is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the associated macroscopic channel. In other embodiments, which may be manufactured by methods described elsewhere herein, it is not necessary for a macroscopic internal void to be connected to the exterior.
The biostructure can also include an osteoinductive material. The osteoinductive material may exist in the form of particles of a solid, which may be particles of demineralized bone matrix (DBM). The particles of DBM may have overall dimensions which are greater than what is believed to be a minimum dimension for DBM to have osteoinductive properties without causing any appreciable inflammatory response in the body. For example, the particles of DBM may have dimensions of at least approximately 100 micrometers. The particles of DBM may have overall dimensions which are in the range of approximately 100 micrometers to 800 micrometers, as is typical in the demineralized bone matrix art.
Particles of DBM can be located within macroscopic channels, or may be located within macroscopic internal voids, or both. Any such location of DBM may be helpful for keeping the particles of DBM located physically within the biostructure and also may be helpful for providing a sustained action of the DBM in stimulating the growth of bone. There may be a time delay associated with the entry of bodily fluids into the interior of the biostructure where the DBM is located, and also with the exit of bodily fluids from the DBM-containing region. Particles of DBM which are within the biostructure, either inside macroscopic channels or inside macroscopic internal voids, either may be loosely contained within those features or may be attached to the matrix by an attachment material.
The biostructure may also have particles of DBM attached to the exterior of the matrix. Such location of DBM particles may be helpful in providing a more immediate action of DBM in stimulating the growth of bone, because external DBM would be readily exposed to bodily fluids, and substances leaving the DBM could readily contact adjacent tissue. Particles of DBM which are attached to the exterior may be attached by an attachment substance.
The biostructure may contain any or all of the above placements of particles of DBM in any combination, thereby providing a combination of immediate release and longer-duration release of substances derived from DBM.
As mentioned, in the finished biostructure, particles such as of Demineralized Bone Matrix may be contacted by, or may be either fully or partially surrounded by, a further substance which may be designated an attachment substance. Such attachment substance may attach particles of DBM to the matrix itself or to other particles of DBM which may or may not be attached to the matrix. It is possible that the attachment substance can be a dry solid. Such dried condition may be a robust condition for shipping and handling of a composite biostructure. Alternatively, it is also possible that the attachment material, in which the DBM exists, may be present in moist or deformable form such as in the form of a paste or gel or viscous liquid.
In addition to DBM, other osteoinductive materials are contemplated, some of which are both osteoconductive and osteoinductive. For instance, fully or partially demineralized bone matrix materials may be used. In addition bone chips such as cancellous chips may be used.
It is possible that in a biostructure containing macroscopic channels and/or macroscopic internal voids, some of those features may contain particles of DBM while other such features do not. The channels which do not contain particles of DBM may be provided for the purpose of conducting the ingrowth of tissue or providing place for blood vessels to grow. Such features are believed to be helpful for promoting ingrowth and integration. Macroscopic channels which do not contain particles of DBM may have cross-sectional dimensions which are smaller than the dimensions of particles of DBM, or are smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of macroscopic channels which do contain particles of DBM.
The biostructure may have more than one sub-component making up the matrix, and the sub-components may physically either fit together or interlock with each other, or the sub-components may be attached to each other. For example, it is possible that a first sub-component may be a shape made of porous material and having a cavity and an aperture, and a closure sub-component may extend to close the aperture. The closure sub-component may be mechanically interlocking with the first sub-component, or may be glued or fused to the first sub-component. For example, some of the closure sub-component may occupy some pores of the first sub-component as a way of attaching itself to the first sub-component.
It is further possible that space which is not occupied by any of the described materials (structure such as tricalcium phosphate, particles demineralized bone matrix, attachment substance such as gelatin) could be occupied by still other materials. More specifically, such substance could be an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient. Examples of categories of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients which could be included are angiogenic factor (to promote the growth of blood vessels), antibiotics (to counteract infection) and anesthetics (for pain relief). A still further category of substances which could be added, to provide added osteoinductivity, is an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient which stimulates the formation of bone, such as by stimulating the formation of bone morphogenetic protein. Examples of such substances include the family of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, more specifically including the statin family such as lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, mevastatin, and others, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts esters and lactones thereof. As far as lovastatin, the substance may be either acid form or the lactone form or a combination of both.
As examples of other materials which may be included in the biostructure, the osteoconductive matrix may comprise one or more members of the calcium phosphate family. Tricalcium phosphate, which is resorbable, may be used. Tricalcium phosphate exists in the crystal forms beta and alpha, of which beta is believed to have a more desirable (slower) resorption rate. Hydroxyapatite may be used, as may still other members of the calcium phosphate family. Other ceramics may be used. In a ceramic matrix, particles of ceramic may be joined directly to other particles of ceramic, such as by necks made of ceramic material which may be the same material as the particles themselves.
Other biocompatible materials may also be used. Polymers, either resorbable or nonresorbable or a combination thereof, may be used. The matrix could be made of a combination of polymer and osteoconductive material. The osteoconductive material could exist in the form of particles of ceramic, and the matrix could be an overall matrix of polymer, containing pores, which also holds particles of the ostoconductive substance. The following polymers are suitable for making an osteoconductive matrix: polylactones, polyamines, polymers and copolymers of trimethylene carbonate with any other monomer, vinyl polymers, acrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene glycols, polyethylenes, Polylactides; Polyglycolides; Epsilon-caprolactone; Polylacatones; Polydioxanones; other Poly(alpha-hydroxy acids); Polyhydroxyalkonates; Polyhydroxybutyrates; Polyhydroxyvalerates; Polycarbonates; Polyacetals; Polyorthoesters; Polyamino acids; Polyphosphoesters; Polyesteramides; Polyfumerates; Polyanhydrides; Polycyanoacrylates; Poloxamers; Polysaccharides; Polyurethanes; Polyesters; Polyphosphazenes; Polyacetals; Polyalkanoates; Polyurethanes; Poly(lactic acid) (PLA); Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA); Poly (DL-lactic acid); Poly-DL-lactide-co-glycolide (PDLGA); Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLLGA); Polycaprolactone (PCL); Poly-epsilon-caprolactone; Polycarbonates; Polyglyconates; Polyanhydrides; PLLA-co-GA; PLLA-co-GA 82:18; Poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA); PLLA-co-DLLA; PLLA-co-DLLA 50:50; PGA-co-TMC (Maxon B); Polyglycolic acid (PGA); Poly-p-dioxanone (PDS); PDLLA-co-GA; PDLLA-co-GA (85:15); aliphatic polyester elastomeric copolymer; epsilon-caprolactone and glycolide in a mole ratio of from about 35:65 to about 65:35; epsilon-caprolactone and glycolide in a mole ratio of from about 45:55 to about 35:65; epsilon-caprolactone and lactide selected from the group consisting of L-lactide, D-lactide and lactic acid copolymers in a mole ratio of epsilon-caprolactone to lactide of from about 35:65 to about 65:35; Poly(L-lactide and caprolactone in a ratio of about 70:30); poly (DL-lactide and caprolactone in a ratio of about 85:15); poly(DL-lactide and caprolactone and glycolic acid in a ratio of about 80:10:10); poly(DL-lacticde and caprolactone in a ratio of about 75:25); poly(L-lactide and glycolic acid in a ratio of about 85:15); poly(L-lactide and trimethylene carbonate in a ratio of about 70:30); poly(L-lactide and glycolic acid in a ratio of about 75:25); Gelatin; Collagen; Elastin; Alginate; Chitin; Hyaluronic acid; Aliphatic polyesters; Poly(amino acids); Copoly(ether-esters); Polyalkylene oxalates; Polyamides; Poly(iminocarbonates); Polyoxaesters; Polyamidoesters; Polyoxaesters containing amine groups; and Poly(anhydrides). The polymer can also be copolymer or terpolymer. It can be a blend of two or more individual substances mixed together.
Some embodiments comprise a closure sub-component in addition to a first sub-component. The closure component or additional sub-component may be made of whatever the first sub-component is made of, such as a porous ceramic. Alternatively, the closure sub-component could be made of gelatin, such as porcine gelatin, which may be dried. The gelatin could additionally contain particles of osteoconductive material such as a calcium phosphate.
It is possible that the attachment material can be a dry solid. This dried condition may be a robust condition for shipping and handling of a composite biostructure. An example of such a attachment material is dehydrated gelatin. Alternatively, it is also possible that the attachment material, in which the DBM exists, may be present in moist form such as in the form of a paste or gel or viscous liquid. The attachment material may include particles of osteoconductive material such as a calcium phosphate.
The biostructure can have a shape suitable for use as any of a variety of bone replacements and can be suitable to be carved at the point of use. The porosity and the physical properties of ceramics such as tricalcium phosphate makes the material easily carvable for dimensional adjustment during surgery. Porosity as described herein further causes the material to be able to wick and retain blood, marrow and other aqueous bodily fluids.
The biostructure could be supplied in the form of an aggregate of a number of such biostructures, which may be identical with each other or may differ such as in dimensions or shape. The aggregate may be suitable to be poured or packed into a void in a bone, or mixed with still other substances or biostructures and placed in a void in a bone. The individual biostructures making up the aggregate could, for example, be of cruciform prismatic shape. Such shapes and aggregates are described in commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/837,541 (docket number 44928.210), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Embodiments of the invention are further described in the Figures.
a shows another design of a cavity-containing matrix which is suitable to be closed by a cap. The matrix in
a and 7b (with 7b being a cross-section of 7a) show a still slightly different design of the lip, in which the lip would physically trap the cap or closure component. In this figure, the lip is really a groove which can trap the cap in place by virtue of the geometry of the groove.
Method of Manufacturing
The invention also includes methods of manufacturing such a biostructure.
The method may include three dimensionally printing the matrix.
The method of manufacturing the matrix may include the use of a decomposable porogen such as lactose.
The method of manufacturing may include chemical reaction from precursors. For example, hydroxyapatite, which is Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, plus dicalcium phosphate, which is Ca H PO4, upon being heated, yields tricalcium phosphate. However it is not necessary to involve a chemical reaction; it is also possible to simply spread ceramic powder of the desired final composition and perform three-dimensional printing on that powder.
Besides three-dimensional printing, other methods of forming the matrix are also possible. For example, it is also possible to form the matrix by molding or by material removal methods (e.g., drilling holes) or by a combination of any of the methods discussed herein.
After the manufacturing of a preform containing ceramic, the preform may be heated to cause the ceramic particles to partially join directly to each other, i.e., sintering. The heating may also cause decomposition of the particles of decomposable porogen, and may cause chemical reaction between reactants if reactants are provided.
Alternatively, the matrix may be manufactured by forming a matrix of organic-solvent-soluble material such as polymer. This can involve causing particles of an organic-solvent-soluble substance such as a polymer to join to each other. The matrix of organic-solvent-soluble material may contain particles of ceramic such as one or more members of the calcium phosphate family. Formation of such an article can also involve three dimensional printing, such as by dispensing organic solvent from the printhead.
After the manufacturing of the matrix, the method of the present invention may further include introducing particles of DBM into or onto appropriate places in the matrix. It is possible that loose particles of DBM may simply be physically placed in desired locations. For example, if the design contains multiple sub-components, such loose particles of DBM may be retained in place by assembly or closure. Alternatively, a paste, viscous liquid, gel etc. comprising a carrier together with the osteoinductive material such as particles of demineralized bone matrix may be placed in desired places. The eventual attachment material may be the carrier or a dried form of the carrier, or could be a different material. In particular, the particles of DBM may be contained in a carrier which may be gelatin. Gelatin has known biocompatibility, resorbability and similar advantages. The gelatin may be porcine gelatin or gelatin from some other source. The introducing could be done by injecting with a syringe, for example. This step may be followed by dehydrating the paste, viscous liquid, gel etc., so as to leave a relatively solid, dry substance in contact with the particles of DBM. The dehydrating can be performed by lyophilizing. Lyophilization (freeze-drying) is a known process for use in preparing demineralized bone matrix. However, if desired, the invention can be practiced without a drying step. If the biostructure comprises a matrix which is made in more than one sub-component, the sub-components may be joined together at approximately this point in the manufacturing process.
The carrier which has been described so far (gelatin) has been water-based. Water-based carriers are typical of bone putties that are placed directly inside the human body in the form of putty. However, it can be noted that it is possible for the attachment material to be chemically based on a solvent or liquid other than water, such as a solvent or liquid which might not be appropriate for exposure to the body of a patient. For example, the carrier could include a solvent such as alcohol or chloroform which would probably not be desirable for exposure to the body of a patient. This is possible because after the introduction of the paste, viscous liquid or gel into the matrix, there are subsequent manufacturing steps and opportunities to remove any objectionable substances such as by evaporation.
Another alternative manufacturing process could involve carrying the osteoinductive particles into place using a first attachment material, removing that first attachment material such as by dissolving it and rinsing it away, and then introducing a second substance suitable to remain in place as an attachment material which may hold the osteoinductive particles in place. This second substance can be dried such as by lyophilizing, if desired. The first attachment material could be a hydrocarbon-based grease or fat, for example. Such substances are soluble in chloroform and other solvents for possible removal. Demineralized bone matrix is known to be undamaged by chloroform, because chloroform is used in its manufacture. The second substance, which may be an attachment material suitable to hold the DBM particles in place in the finished product, could be gelatin or other suitable substance which is suitable to remain in the finished product and be implanted into the human body. Yet another method could comprise simply placing particles of demineralized bone matrix in appropriate places and then introducing gelatin or attachment material to help hold the particles of DBM in place. This could be followed by a drying step.
Manufacture of articles of the present invention can involve assembling the articles from sub-components. Articles which are made at least in part from particles of polymer or similar organic-solvent-soluble material can also be manufactured by yet another method. If the matrix contains organic-solvent-soluble substance such as polymer, it is possible that two or more sub-components could be made individually, and then particles of DBM could be placed in what would become the interior of the assembled biostructure, and then the two or more sub-components could be joined to each other after the DBM is in place, thereby enclosing the DBM. For example, chloroform is a solvent for many polymers. Also, it is known that chloroform does not damage DBM, because typically chloroform is already used in the manufacture of DBM. When two or more sub-components of the matrix are touching each other or interlocking as desired in the final configuration, it is possible to use exposure to organic solvent such as chloroform to cause the sub-components to fuse with each other or join each other, by exposing the assembled sub-components to the organic solvent and then removing the organic solvent. For example, the assembled sub-components can be exposed to liquid organic solvent or vapor of the organic solvent or both, either locally or throughout. The organic solvent could, for example, be chloroform. Local application of liquid organic solvent can take the form of applying liquid to the joint region in much the same way as liquid glue would be applied in repairing a broken object. The liquid could further contain, dissolved in it, a polymer or other substance which would act as an adhesive. If the dissolved substance is a polymer, it could be either the same polymer present in the structure or a different polymer. In fact, if this is done, the structure or some of its sub-components do not even have to contain polymer; it might be sufficient for polymer which is contained in solution in liquid organic solvent to adhere the pieces together. At least some of the organic solvent can be removed through evaporation. If further removal is needed, it can be accomplished by exposure to carbon dioxide, or other suitable substance in a supercritical or critical state, or to a liquid form of carbon dioxide (pressurized to an appropriate pressure) or other suitable substance.
Biotructures such as the biostructure in
For biostructures which contain DBM particles attached to their exterior, the biostructure could be made by manufacturing the osteoconductive matrix, and then applying to the external surfaces of the osteoconductive matrix a paste or gel containing the DBM particles in a carrier substance. This could be done by applying a DBM+gelatin gel onto the external surface, or by applying gelatin or other gel to the external surface and then exposing the gelatin to DBM powder, such as by rolling the article around in an aggregate of the DBM particles so that DBM particles stick and become attached. The carrier substance could be allowed to dry out. For articles which contain DBM particles attached to their exterior, the DBM particles could be applied as just described above. Drying could be at room or warm conditions or could be freeze-drying.
After all of the steps so far described, it is still possible to introduce still other substances into the article, such as by soaking. Such substances could be any Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient or other bioactive substance, as described elsewhere herein.
Sterilization may be accomplished by any of several means and sequences in relation to the overall manufacturing process. The overall manufacturing process may include terminal sterilization, which would be sterilization after completion of all other manufacturing steps including the placement of the osteoinductive material. Such a terminal sterilization method may include irradiation. The irradiation may be by electron beam, which is known to induce less damage to biological substances than gamma irradiation, or the irradiation may be by a sufficiently low dose of gamma radiation.
Another possible manufacturing sequence is that the osteoconductive matrix may be manufactured by any suitable means and may be sterilized by any suitable means, and then all subsequent processing steps, such as introducing the osteoinductive material, may be performed in aseptic conditions. An advantage of this sequence is that the osteoconductive matrix, such as ceramic, may be sterilized by aggressive sterilization methods which would not be permissible as terminal sterilization processes if the osteoinductive material were already present.
Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. All references cited herein, including all U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications, are specifically and entirely hereby incorporated herein by reference. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by the following claims.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 60/569,921, filed on May 10, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application 60/583,670, filed on Jun. 28, 2004, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60569921 | May 2004 | US | |
| 60583670 | Jun 2004 | US |
