BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER/CERAMIC IMPLANT MATERIAL WITH BIMODAL DEGRADATION PROFILE

摘要

A biodegradable therapeutic implant material having a bimodal degradation profile made from a biodegradable polymer having a biodegradable ceramic substantially uniformly distributed therein is provided. Preferably the material is nonporous (fully dense). Methods of using the materials of this invention for healing of defects in bone, cartilage, and other tissues are also provided. Methods of making such therapeutic implant materials are also provided including the steps of preparing the polymer in uncured form, mixing particles of a biodegradable ceramic into said polymer, and applying heat and pressure to the mixture to produce a substantially nonporous, cohesive implant material. Methods of making porous implants by dissolving out the biodegradable ceramic materials in vivo or in vitro are also provided as are the porous implant themselves.