BIOCOMPATIBLE BONE IMPLANT COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REPAIRING A BONE DEFECT

摘要

Moldable bone implants for use in a bone defect or wound include a pluralityof biocompatible granules and a biocompatible polymer that together form animplant mass. The polymer is softened with a plasticizer to make the implantmass moldable or flowable. The plasticizer can dissipate or be extracted tocause the implant mass to harden. The implant mass can be shaped in-situ or ex-situ. Implants formed in-situ are shaped by the bone defect or wound. Theimplant becomes hard through contact with body fluids, which extracts theplasticizer from the implant mass. Bone implants formed ex-situ, such as in amold, are shaped by a mold, for example, and then hardened by placing theimplant mass in contact with a hardening agent, such as water, which extractsthe plasticizer from the implant mass. The shaped, hardened implant can beplaced into a bone defect of corresponding size and shape.