Bioactive Load-bearing Composites
Methods of preparing bioactive composites are described. Also described are methods of molding such composites. Shaped bodies comprising bioactive composites are further described.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A bioactive composite comprising a substantially homogenous mixture of polyetheretherketone and an alkali containing bioactive glass, wherein the bioactive glass is a nanoparticulate or has a particle size ranging from about 1 to about 400 microns, and wherein the bioactive glass is present in an amount of from about 5% to about 60% by weight of the bioactive composite.
3 . The bioactive composite of claim 2 , wherein the polyetheretherketone has a particle size ranging from about 1 to about 400 microns.
4 . The bioactive composite of claim 2 , wherein the bioactive glass is combeite having a particle size ranging from about 1 to about 200 microns.
5 . The bioactive composite of claim 2 , wherein the bioactive glass is combeite having a particle size ranging from about 90 to about 150 microns.
6 . The bioactive composite of claim 2 , wherein the bioactive glass is combeite having a particle size of less than 53 microns.
7 . The bioactive composite of claim 2 , wherein the bioactive glass is present in an amount from about 45% to about 55% by weight of the bioactive composite.
8 . The bioactive composite of claim 2 , wherein the bioactive composite further comprises a filler.
9 . The bioactive composite of claim 8 , wherein the filler is a reinforcing fiber, a carbon, a glass, a radiopaque material, a barium glass, or a resorbable material.
10 . The bioactive composite of claim 8 , wherein the filler is a calcium phosphate material.
11 . A shaped body prepared by melting the polyetheretherketone in the bioactive composite of claim 2 .
12 . The shaped body of claim 11 , wherein the melting is performed using heat, vibrational, radiofrequency or microwave energy or a combinations thereof.
13 . The shaped body of claim 11 , wherein the shape body is an intracorporeal implant.
14 . The shaped body of claim 11 , wherein the shape body is a spinal implant.
15 . A shaped body prepared by molding the bioactive composite of claim 2 .
16 . The shaped body of claim 15 , wherein the shape body is an intracorporeal implant.
17 . The shaped body of claim 15 , wherein the shape body is a spinal implant.
18 . A shaped body prepared by molding the bioactive composite of claim 2 to form a generic shape and then machining to an implant shape.
19 . The shaped body of claim 18 , wherein the shape body is an intracorporeal implant.
20 . The shaped body of claim 18 , wherein the shape body is a spinal implant.