Importance

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Abstract

An artificial (namely synthetic) bone material is made up of a strength sustaining first component and of a biointegration promoting second component. The first component is made, for example of a bioceramic material providing a material strength, especially a compression strength, of at least 1000 N/cm.sup.2. The second component is made also of bioceramic material or even of bone tissue or it may contain bone tissue in combination with other biointegration enhancing components. Biointegration is greatly improved if the material of the second component comprises a specific surface of at least 1.5 m.sup.2 /gram. The second component is incorporated in accessible voids such as open cells, pores, bores, holes and/or other cavities of the first component, whereby the first component forms a frame or matrix for the second component and imparts to the artificial bone the required strength prior to, during, and after implantation. The artificial bone material, due to its accessible voids in the first component and capillary ducts in the second component can receive one or more pharmaceutical substances. The material is formed to have a wedge shape for replacing or complementing a damaged or destroyed natural bone or a portion of a bone. The second component can fully or partly disintegrate upon completion of the implanting to promote penetration of freshly grown bone tissue into the first component.

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First Claim