Biodegradable composite material for tissue repair
View Patent ↗There is described a biodegradable composite material for tissue repair comprising a water-soluble glass, preferably as glass fibers and/or particles in the form of a matrix, impregnated with a biodegradable polymer. An especially preferred polymer is poly ε-caprolactone. The biodegradable composite is particularly useful for the repair of nerve and/or bone tissue, especially the bones of the skull. A method of producing the composite material is also described.
1. A biodegradable composite material suitable for implantation into a patient's body, said composite material comprising water soluble glass fibers and a biodegradable polymer, wherein said water soluble glass fibers comprise from 30 mole % to less than 85 mole % of phosphorous pentoxide, and wherein said water soluble glass fibers comprise a mixture of water soluble glass fibers and water soluble glass particles.
2. The composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said biodegradable polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol, polysaccharide, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyvaleriate, polycaprolactone, polycaprolactam or a starch.
3. The composite material as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said biodegradable polymer is poly ε-caprolactone.
4. The composite material as claimed in claim 1 , which comprises a matrix of a mixture of water soluble glass fibers and water soluble glass particles, impregnated with said biodegradable polymer.
5. The composite material as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said biodegradable polymer is a starch.
6. The composite material as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the starch is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic starch, a hydroxypropylated starch, a potato starch, a maize starch, and a rice starch.
7. The biodegradable composite material as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an antimicrobial material.
8. The biodegradable composite material as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of copper magnesium, zinc, cerium, manganese, bismuth, selenium, cesium, and mixtures thereof.
9. The biodegradable composite material as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a source of silver ions.
10. The biodegradable composite material as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the biodegradable polymer is a starch.
11. The biodegradable composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the water soluble glass fibers further comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, magnesium, zinc, cerium, manganese, bismuth, selenium, cesium, and mixtures thereof.
12. The biodegradable composite material as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the biodegradable polymer is a starch.
13. A method of producing a composite material suitable for tissue repair, said method comprising:
a) providing a mixture of water soluble glass fibers and water soluble glass particles comprising from 30 mole % to less than 85 mole % of phosphorous pentoxide;
b) optionally arranging said mixture into a pre-selected order; and
c) covering said mixture with a biodegradable polymer and if required allowing said polymer to cure.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said biodegradable polymer is poly ε-caprolactone and wherein polymerisation occurs within a mould.
15. A method of repairing an area of defective tissue in a patient, said method comprising inserting a biodegradable composite material suitable for, implantation into a patient's body, said composite material comprising water soluble glass fibers and a biodegradable polymer into said patient in a quantity sufficient to cover and/or fill said area, wherein said water soluble glass fibers comprise from 30 mole % to less than 85 mole % of phosphorous pentoxide, and wherein said composite material comprises a mixture of water soluble glass fibers and water soluble glass particles.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the area of defective tissue is an area of nerve or bone in need of repair.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said composite material is attached to healthy tissue by suture and/or by biodegradable adhesive.
18. The method of claim 9 , wherein said biodegradable polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol, polysaccharide, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyvaleriate, polycaprolactone, polycaprolactam or a starch.
19. The method of claim 9 , wherein said biodegradable polymer is poly ε-caprolactone.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein said composite material comprises a matrix of a mixture of water soluble glass fibers and water soluble glass particles impregnated with said biodegradable polymer.