IP Library Granted Patent US 12,472,287
Granted Patent B2
US 12,472,287 · App. 17/873,402 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Poroelastic biomaterial for orthopedic devices

Inventors: Tim Hsu (Lake Mary, FL); Minren Lin (Lake Mary, FL); Saadyah Averick (Lake Mary, FL); Boyle C. Cheng (Lake Mary, FL)
Assignee: LEAP Polymers INC.
A61L27/56A61L27/18B29C45/0001B29C67/202C08J9/26A61L2430/38B29K2071/00B29K2995/0046B29K2995/0056
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,472,287
App. No.
17/873,402
Granted
Nov 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A poroelastic biomaterial including a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) matrix polymer and a plurality of tortuous channels extending from one surface to another surface of the biomaterial is disclosed. Advantageously, the poroelastic biomaterial can have a porosity from about 5% to about 40% and high mechanical properties. The poroelastic biomaterials can be fabricated into orthopedic implant devices and can be used as a tissue scaffolds.

Claims (22)

1 . A poroelastic biomaterial comprising

a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) matrix polymer; and

a plurality of tortuous channels extending from one surface to another surface of the biomaterial; and

wherein the biomaterial has a compressive strain at break at least as high as a corresponding PAEK polymer without channels or porosity.

2 . The poroelastic biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the poroelastic biomaterial has a porosity from about 5% to about 40%.

3 . The poroelastic biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the PAEK matrix polymer comprises a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrix polymer.

4 . The poroelastic biomaterial of claim 3 , wherein the PEEK matrix polymer has a compressive modulus of from about 300 megapascals (MPa) to about 1,500 MPa.

5 . The poroelastic biomaterial of claim 3 , wherein the PEEK matrix polymer has a compressive strength at yield of from about 20 MPa to about 140 MPa.

6 . The poroelastic biomaterial of claim 3 , wherein the PEEK matrix polymer has a compressive strain at break of at least 40%.

7 . The poroelastic biomaterial of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of tortuous channels have a size in the range of from about 10 microns to about 800 microns.

8 . The poroelastic biomaterial of claim 7 , wherein the PEEK matrix polymer has a compressive strain at break of at least 50%, and wherein the PEEK matrix polymer has a compressive modulus of from about 300 megapascals (MPa) to about 1,500 MPa.

9 . The poroelastic biomaterial of claim 3 , wherein the PEEK matrix polymer has a compressive strain at break of at least 50%.

10 . An orthopedic implant device comprising an implant body including the poroelastic biomaterial of claim 1 .

11 . The orthopedic implant device of claim 10 , further comprising one or more additives on surfaces of the poroelastic biomaterial, wherein the one or more additives are selected from growth factors, transcription factors, matrix metalloproteinases, peptides, proteins, bone cells, progenitor cells, blood plasma, bone marrow aspirate, and combinations thereof.

12 . The orthopedic implant device of claim 10 , further comprising serrations or teeth projecting from a weight bearing surface of the orthopedic implant device.

13 . A process of forming a poroelastic biomaterial, the process comprising:

extracting an active polymeric component (A) from an injected molded shape comprising a blend of the active polymeric component (A) with a matrix PAEK polymer (B) to form the poroelastic biomaterial of claim 1 .

14 . The process of claim 13 , further comprising melt compounding the active polymeric component (A) with the matrix PAEK polymer (B) to form the blend.

15 . The process of claim 13 , further comprising injection molding the blend of the active polymeric component (A) with the matrix PAEK polymer (B) into the shape.

16 . The process of claim 13 , comprising extracting the active polymeric component (A) from the blend with steam.

17 . The process of claim 13 , comprising extracting the active polymeric component (A) from the blend with a solvent system including at least one alcohol in combination with at least one aprotic solvent.

18 . The process of claim 13 , wherein the active polymeric component (A) comprises PEI or a poly(alkene carbonate).

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 16, 2025
From: LEAP POLYMERS LLC
To: LEAP POLYMERS INC.
Reel/Frame 072850/0789 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2022
From: HSU, TIM; LIN, MINREN; AVERICK, SAADYAH; CHENG, BOYLE C.
To: LEAP POLYMERS LLC
Reel/Frame 061062/0865 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation PCTUS2022038262 · Jul 26, 2022
Provisional Application 63225591 · Jul 26, 2021
Related Publication 20230037593A1 · Feb 9, 2023
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