USE OF HYDROGELS TO FIX BONE REPLACEMENTS

摘要

PCT No. PCT/EP93/01288 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 27, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 27, 1995 PCT Filed May 21, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO93/23094 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 25, 1993Provided are orthopedic fasteners and replacements such as nails, screws, pins, hip and knee replacements, etc., coated with hydrogels and other biocompatible/biodegradable materials which expand in the presence of liquids. Swelling of such coatings causes the fastener or replacement to be securely fixed into position once inserted into bone material. Useful coating materials include methacrylates, hyaluronic acid esters, and crosslinked esters of hyaluronic acid resulting from the esterification of hyaluronic acid with polyhydric alcohols. Also provided is a method for fixing a bone or bone replacement in position employing such coated orthopedic fasteners or replacements.