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 - 225 . (canceled) 
     
     
         226 . A bone allograft comprising:
 a piece of bone tissue which is at least partially cancellous and defines trabecular interstices;   at least a first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material as particles which are fixed within the trabecular interstices of the cancellous bone by a biocompatible binder; and   wherein, upon implantation of the bone allograft within a patient in proximity to patient bone tissue, the first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material gradually dissolves releasing at least one of osteoinductive ions and/or non-antibiotic antimicrobial ions as a first elution profile.   
     
     
         227 . The bone allograft according to  claim 226  wherein the first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material possesses a selected bioactive agent, a bioactive agent concentration, a particle dissolution rate and particle dimension and, upon particle dissolution, releases osteoinductive ions and/or non-antibiotic antimicrobial ions as the first elution profile over a selected time period. 
     
     
         228 . The bone allograft according to  claim 226  wherein the first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material includes at least a first bioactive agent, bioactive agent concentration, particle dissolution rate and particle dimension and the bone allograft further includes at least a second water-soluble inorganic bioactive material that differs from the first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material in at least one of bioactive agent type, bioactive agent concentration, particle dissolution rate or particle dimension such that dissolving of the second water-soluble inorganic bioactive material upon implantation varies the first elution profile over a selected time period. 
     
     
         229 . The bone allograft according to  claim 226  wherein the first water soluble inorganic bioactive material is bioactive glass particles. 
     
     
         230 . The bone allograft according to  claim 229  wherein, upon implantation, dissolution of the bioactive glass particles releases at least osteoinductive ions to enhance bone growth. 
     
     
         231 . The bone allograft according to  claim 229  wherein, upon implantation, dissolution of the bioactive glass particles releases at least one type of metal ion to provide prophylactic and/or therapeutic concentrations of a non-antibiotic antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         232 . The bone allograft according to  claim 231  wherein the metal ions include silver ions, copper ions and/or zinc ions. 
     
     
         233 . The bone allograft according to  claim 226  wherein the biocompatible binder includes biocompatible polymers and/or adhesives, or biocompatible biodegradable polymers and/or adhesives. 
     
     
         234 . The bone allograft according to  claim 226  wherein the bone tissue further includes at least one of cortical bone tissue or demineralized bone matrix. 
     
     
         235 . A bone allograft having a roughened or textured surface defining interstices wherein at least a first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material as particles which are fixed within the roughened or textured bone surface interstices by a biocompatible binder such that, upon implantation within a patient in proximity to patient bone tissue, the first water-soluble bioactive material gradually dissolves releasing at least one of osteoinductive ions and/or non-antibiotic antimicrobial ions as a first elution profile. 
     
     
         236 . The bone allograft according to  claim 235  wherein the first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material possesses a selected bioactive agent, a bioactive agent concentration, a particle dissolution rate and particle dimension and, upon particle dissolution, releases osteoinductive ions and/or non-antibiotic antimicrobial ions as the first elution profile over a selected time period. 
     
     
         237 . The bone allograft according to  claim 235  wherein the first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material includes at least a first bioactive agent, bioactive agent concentration, particle dissolution rate and particle dimension and the bone allograft further includes at least a second water-soluble inorganic bioactive material that differs from the first water-soluble inorganic bioactive material in at least one of bioactive agent type, bioactive agent concentration, particle dissolution rate or particle dimension such that dissolving of the second water-soluble inorganic bioactive material upon implantation varies the first elution profile over a selected time period. 
     
     
         238 . The bone allograft according to  claim 235  wherein the first water soluble inorganic bioactive material is bioactive glass particles. 
     
     
         239 . The bone allograft according to  claim 238  wherein, upon implantation, dissolution of the bioactive glass particles releases at least osteoinductive ions to enhance bone growth. 
     
     
         240 . The bone allograft according to  claim 238  wherein, upon implantation, dissolution of the bioactive glass particles releases at least one type of metal ion to provide prophylactic and/or therapeutic concentrations of a non-antibiotic antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         241 . The bone allograft according to  claim 240  wherein the metal ions include silver ions, copper ions and/or zinc ions. 
     
     
         242 . The bone allograft according to  claim 235  wherein the biocompatible binder includes biocompatible polymers and/or adhesives, and biocompatible biodegradable polymers and/or adhesives.