Bioactive Load-bearing Composites

Abstract

Methods of preparing bioactive composites are described. Also described are methods of molding such composites. Shaped bodies comprising bioactive composites are further described.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A bioactive composite comprising a substantially homogenous mixture of polyetheretherketone and an alkali containing bioactive glass, wherein the bioactive glass is a nanoparticulate or has a particle size ranging from about 1 to about 400 microns, and wherein the bioactive glass is present in an amount of from about 5% to about 60% by weight of the bioactive composite. 
     
     
         3 . The bioactive composite of  claim 2 , wherein the polyetheretherketone has a particle size ranging from about 1 to about 400 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The bioactive composite of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive glass is combeite having a particle size ranging from about 1 to about 200 microns. 
     
     
         5 . The bioactive composite of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive glass is combeite having a particle size ranging from about 90 to about 150 microns. 
     
     
         6 . The bioactive composite of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive glass is combeite having a particle size of less than 53 microns. 
     
     
         7 . The bioactive composite of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive glass is present in an amount from about 45% to about 55% by weight of the bioactive composite. 
     
     
         8 . The bioactive composite of  claim 2 , wherein the bioactive composite further comprises a filler. 
     
     
         9 . The bioactive composite of  claim 8 , wherein the filler is a reinforcing fiber, a carbon, a glass, a radiopaque material, a barium glass, or a resorbable material. 
     
     
         10 . The bioactive composite of  claim 8 , wherein the filler is a calcium phosphate material. 
     
     
         11 . A shaped body prepared by melting the polyetheretherketone in the bioactive composite of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The shaped body of  claim 11 , wherein the melting is performed using heat, vibrational, radiofrequency or microwave energy or a combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The shaped body of  claim 11 , wherein the shape body is an intracorporeal implant. 
     
     
         14 . The shaped body of  claim 11 , wherein the shape body is a spinal implant. 
     
     
         15 . A shaped body prepared by molding the bioactive composite of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         16 . The shaped body of  claim 15 , wherein the shape body is an intracorporeal implant. 
     
     
         17 . The shaped body of  claim 15 , wherein the shape body is a spinal implant. 
     
     
         18 . A shaped body prepared by molding the bioactive composite of  claim 2  to form a generic shape and then machining to an implant shape. 
     
     
         19 . The shaped body of  claim 18 , wherein the shape body is an intracorporeal implant. 
     
     
         20 . The shaped body of  claim 18 , wherein the shape body is a spinal implant.