Method for preparing biocompatible and biodegradable biomaterials based on collagen and granules of hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate for use in surgery, and biomaterials thus obtained

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of preparing a composite biomaterial, essentially consisting of collagen in combination with granules of hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP), to be used in maxillofacial surgery, dentistry, aesthetic surgery and particularly in orthopedic surgery; the invention also relates to the biomaterial obtained by means of this method.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A composite material consisting of a first, top layer consisting of collagen, and of a second, bottom layer consisting of granules of hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate in a collagen matrix. 
     
     
         11 . The composite material of  claim 10 , wherein said second bottom layer consists of from 50 to 70% by weight of said granules. 
     
     
         12 . The composite material of  claim 11 , wherein said second bottom layer consists of about 60% by weight of said granules. 
     
     
         13 . A scaffold useful in orthopaedic surgery comprising the composite material of  claims 10 - 12 , said scaffold having a thickness of from 2 to 7 mm, and each of said first and second layers having a thickness of from 1 to 6 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The scaffold of  claim 13 , wherein said scaffold has a thickness of from 4 to 6 mm, and each of said first and second layers has a thickness of from 2 to 4 mm. 
     
     
         15 . A method for repairing damaged bone tissue or damaged sub-chondral tissue, comprising applying the scaffold of  claim 13  to a site of said damaged bone tissue or sub-chondral tissue. 
     
     
         16 . A method for repairing damaged bone tissue or damaged sub-chondral tissue, comprising applying the scaffold of  claim 14  to a site of said damaged bone tissue or sub-chondral tissue. 
     
     
         17 . A method for repairing an osteochondral lesion having a damaged bone portion or a damaged cartilage portion, comprising positioning the scaffold of  claim 13  to a site of said osteochondral lesion so that said second bottom layer is facing said damaged bone portion and said first top layer is positioned towards said damaged cartilage portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method for repairing an osteochondral lesion having a damaged bone portion or a damaged cartilage portion, comprising positioning the scaffold of  claim 14  to a site of said osteochondral lesion so that said second bottom layer is facing said damaged bone portion and said first top layer is positioned towards said damaged cartilage portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising the steps of cutting said scaffold of the exact size of said damaged tissue or lesion to be repaired, and positioning the thus obtained scaffold so as to cover said damaged tissue or lesion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising the steps of cutting said scaffold of the exact size of said damaged tissue or lesion to be repaired, and positioning the thus obtained scaffold so as to cover said damaged tissue or lesion. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising fixing said scaffold to said damaged bone tissue or damaged subchondrial tissue with fibrin glue. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising fixing said scaffold to said damaged bone portion or damaged cartilage bone portion with fibrin glue.