Orthopedic mixtures prepared by supercritical fluid processing techniques
US6579532B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2430/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Orthopedic mixtures are prepared by mixing starting materials and a process medium in a reactor to form a supercritical fluid slurry. The starting materials include a source of calcium ions and a polymer matrix for the calcium ions. The process medium preferably is carbon dioxide which is supplied to the reactor in a supercritical state or which is heated and pressurized in the reactor to attain a supercritical state. After mixing for a period of time, the slurry either is left in the reactor or is discharged into a receiving vessel. The process medium is separated from the other materials and removed, leaving behind a finely divided product. The finely divided product can be poured into a mold and cured. Thereafter, the cured product can be used as a bone implant or a bone implant can be carved from the cured product. Alternatively, if an ultraviolet light-curable catalyst and a monomer are included in the mixture, the finely divided product can be used as bone filler and cured in situ. After curing, the mixture produces a dense, strong, porous product that simulates autogenic bone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.