Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A composition comprising a functional juxtaposition of a biodegradable polymer and a chemotactic ground substance fabricated together in such a manner as to produce a biodegradable and biologically inductive surgical implant which performs to restore a tissue void to its normal gross morphology, structural architecture, mechanical competence, biologic and physiologic activities, cell populations and biochemical functions, with the biodegradable polymer arranged as a gross structure with interconnecting voids, generally with each void communicating with all the others and with substantially the entire exterior of the gross structure, with the chemotactic ground substance located in the voids and carried by and seperate from the biodegradable polymer forming the gross structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A composition comprising a functional juxtaposition of a biodegradable polymer and a chemotactic ground substance fabricated together in such a manner as to produce a biodegradable and biologically inductive surgical implant which performs to restore a tissue void to its normal gross morphology, structural architecture, mechanical competence, biologic and physiologic activities, cell populations and biochemical functions, with the biodegradable polymer arranged as a gross structure with interconnecting voids, generally with each void communicating with all the others and with substantially the entire exterior of the gross structure, with the chemotactic ground substance located in the voids and carried by and seperate from the biodegradable polymer forming the gross structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The composition of claim 1 in which the chemotactic ground substance is selected from the group of: a. a solid sheet adhered to the preformed partitions of the biodegradable polymer; b. an open laced network of strands adhered to the preformed biodegradable polymer partitions; c. a velour, felting or loosely woven sheet adhered to the preformed biodegradable polymer partitions; or, d. an open cell meshwork mass that is carried within the voids of the gross structure and is only incidentally adhered to the preformed biodegradable polymer partitions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The composition of claim 1 further comprising at least one biological modifier incorporated into the implant selected from the group of: a. joined to the surface of the biodegradable polymer partitions; b. joined to the chemotactic ground substance; c. located between the biodegradable polymer and the chemotactic ground substance at the interface of these components; or, d. carried within the chemotactic ground substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composition of claim 1 in which the biodegradable polymer is synthesized either as a homogeneous polymer or as a co-polymer of at least two alphahydroxy acids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composition of claim 4 wherein said biodegradable polymer is selected from the group of D,L-polylactic acid, L-polylactic acid, glycolic acid or co-polymers thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 1 in which the chemotactic ground substance microstructure is selected from the group of glycosamino glycans, glycoproteins, lamin or type IV collagen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 3 in which the biological modifier is osteoinductive/osteogenic agents selected from the group of bone morphogenetic proteins or bone derived growth factor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the biodegradable polymer is preformed into the gross structure prior to the introduction of the chemotactic ground substance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein the chemotactic ground substance is selected from the group of a velour, felting or loosely woven sheet prior to its introduction into the gross structure, with the velour, felting, or loosely woven sheet adhered to the preformed gross structure of the biodegradable polymer within the voids of the gross structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein the voids are randomly shaped, sized and positioned in the gross structure, with the voids being formed by incomplete partitions of the biodegradable polymer.