Support for biomedical implant device

Abstract

A support for a biomedical implant device in which the support has a surface layer composed of a biocompatible calcium phosphate material such as sintered hydroxyapatite with a porosity of 50-60% and pore size of 0.5-500 micrometers. Preferably, the surface layer is formed with projections or recesses of a few hundred micrometers size.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A biomedical implant device for implantation within tissue of a body, comprising: a support having a surface layer to be contacted with said tissue and composed of a biocompatible calcium phosphate material; and a medically operative part at least partially enclosed by said surface layer. 
     
     
       2. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said calcium phosphate material is sintered hydroxyapatite. 
     
     
       3. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said calcium phosphate material has a porosity of 5-60%. 
     
     
       4. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 3 wherein said porosity is in a range of 20-40%. 
     
     
       5. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 2, wherein said calcium phosphate material has a porosity of 5-60%. 
     
     
       6. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said calcium phosphate material has a porosity of 5-60% and has voids with an average pore size of 0.5-500 micrometers. 
     
     
       7. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 6, wherein said average pore size is 5-200 micrometers. 
     
     
       8. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 2, wherein said calcium phosphate material has a porosity of 5-60% and has voids with an average pore size of 0.5-500 micrometers. 
     
     
       9. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 8, wherein said average pore size is 5-200 micrometers. 
     
     
       10. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said support further comprises at least one inner layer inside said surface layer of a material of greater strength than said surface layer. 
     
     
       11. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 10, wherein said inner layer comprises sintered hydroxyapatite with a porosity significantly less than that of said surface layer. 
     
     
       12. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said surface layer includes a plurality of surface projections having a average height of 5-1000 micrometers. 
     
     
       13. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 5, wherein said surface layer includes a plurality of surface projections having heights of 5-1000 micrometers. 
     
     
       14. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said surface layer includes a plurality of surface recesses having diameters of 0.5-500 micrometers. 
     
     
       15. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 5, wherein said surface layer includes a plurality of surface recesses having diameters of 0.5-500 micrometers. 
     
     
       16. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said medically operative part comprises a catheter and said support acts as a cuff surrounding said catheter. 
     
     
       17. A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said medically operative part comprises a drug reservoir and said support at least partially covers said drug reservoir. .Iadd. 
     
     
       18.  A biomedical implant device for implantation within the tissues of a body, comprising; a support in the form of a cuff having a surface layer to be contacted with said tissues and composed of a biocompatible calcium phosphate material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. A biomedical implant device for implantation within the tissues of a body, comprising; a support having a surface layer to be contacted with said tissues and composed of a biocompatible calcium phosphate material, said support being in the form of a catheter cuff, said cuff including fixing means which, in use, operates to stably retain a catheter within the body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A drug reservoir device for implantation within the body of a drug recipient, comprising; a drug reservoir, a casing formed of a biocompatible calcium phosphate material and substantially covering at least one surface of said reservoir and being in contact with tissues of the body in use, a drug entry location for receiving quantities of a drug to be delivered to the body, and a drug exit location through which said drug is supplied to the body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A biomedical implant device for implantation within the tissues of a body, comprising; a support in the form of a catheter cuff having a surface layer to be contacted with said tissues and composed of a biocompatible calcium phosphate material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A biomedical implant device for implantation within the tissues of a body, comprising; a support having a surface layer to be contacted with said tissues and composed of a biocompatible calcium phosphate material, said support being in the form of a cuff, said cuff including fixing means which, in use, operates to stably contact a member to be held in place in the body by said cuff. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said fixing 
     
     
        means includes an interior surface of said cuff. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24.  A drug reservoir device for implantation within the body of a drug recipient, comprising: a drug reservoir, a casing formed of a biocompatible calcium phosphate material and substantially covering a surface of said reservoir and being in contact with tissues of the body in use, a drug entry location for receiving quantities of a drug to be delivered to the body, and a drug exit location through which said drug is supplied to the body. .Iaddend.