Membrane for guided bone regeneration and a method thereof
A membrane having at least one strip of a shape memory material and the at least one strip is sandwiched between a first layer and a second layer. A method for guiding bone regeneration which excludes the use of a tenting screw is also disclosed. The membrane may be useful for gradual displacing of the soft tissue covering bones. The gap developing between the bone and the displaced soft tissue may be filled with regenerated bone. The membrane allows the regenerated bone to form while the soft tissue heals. The membrane and method may be useful in dentistry for treating vertical bone defects. The membrane and method may also be useful for regenerating soft tissue between the bone and the displaced soft tissue.
1. A membrane for guided bone regeneration, comprising:
a first layer comprising silicone and a second layer comprising silicone, wherein each layer is one continuous sheet of silicone; and
at least one strip comprising a shape memory material comprising nickel and titanium, wherein the at least one strip is sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the at least one strip is one continuous strip of the shape memory material;
wherein each of a breadth and a length of the first layer and the second layer is independently in a range of 10-60 mm, a thickness of the first layer and the second layer is independently in a range of 0.01-1 mm, a width of the at least one strip is in a range of 2-10 mm, a length of the at least one strip is in a range of 7-30 mm, a thickness of the at least one strip is in a range of 0.05-1 mm, the at least one strip is flat at a temperature in a range of 10-30° C. and is in a shape of a curve at a temperature greater than 30° C. and less than 40° C., and
wherein the membrane does not contain voids.
2. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein the length of the at least one strip is in a range of 10-20 mm and the width of the at least one strip is in a range of 3-7 mm,
wherein a mid-point of the at least one strip coincides with a mid-point of the first layer and a mid-point of the second layer, and
wherein the first layer and the second layer are in a shape of a rectangle, the length of the first and the second layers is in a range of 20-30 mm, and the breadth is in a range of 10-15 mm.
3. The membrane of claim 2 , wherein a single strip is present and the length of the single strip is disposed parallel to the length of the first layer and the second layer.
4. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein the at least one strip is irreversibly attached to a top surface of the first layer and a bottom surface of the second layer.
5. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer are in a shape of a square with the length and the breadth being the same and in a range of 20-30 mm, and
wherein a mid-point of the at least one strip coincides with a mid-point of the first layer and a mid-point of the second layer.
6. The membrane of claim 5 , wherein two strips are present, a mid-point of a first strip overlaps with a mid-point of a second strip, and the two strips are disposed perpendicularly with respect to each other.
7. The membrane of claim 6 , wherein the two strips have a same length and a same breadth.
8. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein the curve is an arc and a length of a chord of the arc is in a range of 40-70% of the length of the at least one strip.
9. The membrane of claim 8 , wherein a length of a sagitta of the arc is in a range of 10-30% of the length of the at least one strip.