Methods of using water-soluble inorganic compounds for implants

Abstract

A method for controlling generation of biologically desirable voids in a composition placed in proximity to bone or other tissue in a patient by selecting at least one water-soluble inorganic material having a desired particle size and solubility, and mixing the water-soluble inorganic material with at least one poorly-water-soluble or biodegradable matrix material. The matrix material, after it is mixed with the water-soluble inorganic material, is placed into the patient in proximity to tissue so that the water-soluble inorganic material dissolves at a predetermined rate to generate biologically desirable voids in the matrix material into which bone or other tissue can then grow.

1 - 199 . (canceled) 
     
     
         200 . A bone cement comprising a poorly water-soluble bioactive implantable thermoplastic matrix material and, mixed with the matrix material, at least one type of bioactive glass particles having a selected particle size, a selected particle shape and a selected(particle dissolution rate, wherein once placed in proximity to tissue as an implant or with a separate implant, bodily fluids gradually dissolve the bioactive glass particles to provide an effective amount of at least one non-antibiotic antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         201 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  where the dissolution of the bioactive glass particles creates a porous implant surface or a textured implant surface. 
     
     
         202 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  wherein the thermoplastic matrix material includes polymethylmethacrylate. 
     
     
         203 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  wherein the bioactive glass particles have an average particle size below  100  microns. 
     
     
         204 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  wherein the bioactive glass particles generate at least two elution profiles by possessing (i) at least two different particle sizes, (ii) at least two different glass formulations having different dissolution rates, and/or (iii) at least two different antimicrobial constituents. 
     
     
         205 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  wherein the dissolution of the bioactive glass particles release (i) biocidal heavy metal cationic ions, (ii) other biocidal cationic ions, and (iii) combinations thereof. 
     
     
         206 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  wherein the thermoplastic matrix material includes at least one antibiotic compound. 
     
     
         207 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  wherein the thermoplastic matrix material includes osteoconductive filler materials and/or osteoinductive bioactive glass particles. 
     
     
         208 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  wherein the bioactive glass particles have an average particle size of greater than 100 microns to about 1,000 microns. 
     
     
         209 . The bone cement according to  claim 200  wherein the thermoplastic matrix material and bioactive glass particles are mixed together a form a putty prior to placement within bone tissue, and the putty solidifies to facilitate fixation of the implant. 
     
     
         210 . The bone cement according to  claim 209  wherein the putty-hardened bone cement is the implant. 
     
     
         211 . A method for reducing risk of surgical site and implant infection, the method comprising:
 mixing a poorly water-soluble bioactive implantable thermoplastic matrix material with at least one type of bioactive glass particles having a selected particle size, a selected particle shape and a selected particle dissolution rate to form a mixture; and   placing the mixture in proximity to tissue as an implant or with a separate implant, whereby bodily fluids gradually dissolve the bioactive glass particles to provide an effective amount of at least one non-antibiotic antimicrobial agent.   
     
     
         212 . The method according to  claim 211  wherein the thermoplastic matrix material includes polymethylmethacrylate. 
     
     
         213 . The method according to  claim 211  wherein the bioactive glass particles have an average particle size below 100 microns. 
     
     
         214 . The bone cement according to  claim 211  wherein the bioactive glass particles generate at least two elution profiles by possessing (i) at least two different particle sizes, (ii) at least two different glass formulations having different dissolution rates, and/or (iii) at, least two different antimicrobial constituents. 
     
     
         215 . The method according to  claim 211  wherein the dissolution rate of the bioactive glass particles can also be adjusted by altering the hydrophilicity of the thermoplastic matrix material. 
     
     
         216 . The method according to  claim 211  wherein the dissolution of the bioactive glass particles release (i) biocidal heavy metal cationic ions, (ii) other biocidal cationic ions, and (iii) combinations thereof. 
     
     
         217 . The method according to  claim 211  wherein the thermoplastic matrix material includes at least one antibiotic compound. 
     
     
         218 . The method according to  claim 211  wherein the thermoplastic matrix material contains osteoconductive filler materials and/or osteoinductive bioactive glass particles. 
     
     
         219 . The method according to  claim 211  wherein the bioactive glass particles have an average particle size of greater than 100 microns to about 1,000 microns.