METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING BONE FRACTURES, AND/OR FOR FORTIFYING AND/OR AUGMENTING BONE, INCLUDING THE PROVISION AND USE OF COMPOSITE IMPLANTS, AND NOVEL COMPOSITE STRUCTURES WHICH MAY BE USED FOR MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

摘要

A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.