BIOABSORBABLE GLASS FIBERS FOR USE IN THE REINFORCEMENT OF BIOABSORBABLE POLYMERS FOR BONE FIXATION DEVICES AND ARTIFICIAL LIGAMENTS

摘要

A spun or drawn glass fiber for use in the area of medical implants, and particularly as a reinforcement for bioabsorbable polymeric orthopaedic and dental implants. The glass fiber is bioabsorbable and has sufficient tensile strength and elasticity to be used as a reinforcement. It is made up of 5-50% calcium oxide (CaO), 50-95% phosphorous pentoxide (P.sub.2 O.sub.5), 0-5% calcium fluoride (CaF.sub.2), 0-5% water (H.sub.2 O), and 0-10% XO wherein X is either a single magnesium, zinc or strontium ion or two sodium, potassium, lithium, or aluminum ions and when X is aluminum the O represents three oxygen ions.