Artificial bone

Abstract

An artificial bone comprising a substrate material and at least one of a suppression component and an x-ray component. The substrate material comprises a plurality of closed cells. The suppression component is impregnated into at least one of the plurality of closed cells. The x-ray component is dispersed within the substrate material. The invention further comprises a method of manufacturing same.

1 . An artificial bone comprising: 
 a substrate material, wherein the substrate material comprises a plurality of closed cells; and    at least one of a suppression component impregnated into at least one of the plurality of closed cells; and an x-ray component dispersed within the substrate material.    
   
   
       2 . The artificial bone of  claim 1  further comprising each of the suppression component and the x-ray component.  
   
   
       3 . The artificial bone of  claim 1  wherein the substrate material comprises a polyurethane material having a plurality of closed cells.  
   
   
       4 . The artificial bone of  claim 1  wherein the substrate material comprises one of the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene and polymeric resins.  
   
   
       5 . The artificial bone of  claim 1  wherein the x-ray component comprises a plurality of barium components.  
   
   
       6 . The artificial bone of  claim 1  wherein the x-ray component comprises approximately 10% by weight of the substrate material.  
   
   
       7 . The artificial bone of  claim 1  wherein the suppression component comprises a propylene glycol material.  
   
   
       8 . The artificial bone of  claim 1  wherein the suppression component comprises one of the group consisting of: water, ethylene glycol, oils, polar and non-polar solvents, lotions and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       9 . A method of manufacturing an artificial bone comprising the steps of: 
 providing a substrate base material;    optionally mixing an x-ray component into the substrate base material;    curing the substrate base material into a substrate; and    optionally impregnating the substrate with a suppression component,    wherein at least one of the steps of mixing and impregnating are executed such that the resulting artificial bone includes at least one of the x-ray component and the suppression component.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of impregnating comprises the steps of: 
 placing the substrate within an autoclave;    introducing the suppression component; and    elevating the pressure within the autoclave for a predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of placing the substrate base material into a mold prior to the step of curing.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of finishing the outer surface of the substrate after the step of curing.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein each of the steps of mixing and impregnating are executed such that the resulting artificial bone includes each of the x-ray component and the suppression component.