Support for biomedical implant device

Claim 2

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.

Claim 3

A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said calcium phosphate material is sintered hydroxyapatite.

Claim 4

A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 1, wherein said calcium phosphate material has a porosity of 5-60%.

Claim 5

A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 3 wherein said porosity is in a range of 20-40%.

Claim 6

A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 2, wherein said calcium phosphate material has a porosity of 5-60%.

Claim 7

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.

Claim 8

A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 6, wherein said average pore size is 5-200 micrometers.

Claim 9

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.

Claim 10

A biomedical implant device as recited in claim 8, wherein said average pore size is 5-200 micrometers.

Claim 11

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.

Claim 12

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.

Claim 13

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.

Claim 14

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.

Claim 15

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.

Claim 16

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.

Claim 17

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.

Claim 18

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.

Claim 19

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

Claim 20

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.

Claim 21

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.