Osteoconductive fibers, medical implant comprising such osteoconductive fibers, and methods of making

Abstract

The disclosure relates to high-strength polyolefin composite fibers, which fibers have a fiber body comprising a composition consisting of polyolefin; 1-30 mass % of bioceramic particles having particle size D50 of 0.01-10 μm; at most 0.05 mass % of residual spin solvent; optionally 0-3 mass % of other additives; and wherein the sum of a)-d) is 100 mass %; and which fibers have bioceramic particles exposed at their surface, and show bioactivity. The composite fibers based on a composition of polyolefin with bioceramic particles mixed therein show particles being exposed at the fiber surface by techniques like AFM and XPS, and although apparently only a relatively small amount of bioceramic particles is exposed at the fiber surface, this appears sufficient for effective interaction with their environment and stimulating a positive biological response as demonstrated by in vitro cell studies. The present disclosure also concerns a method of making the high-strength composite fibers via a gel spinning process, fibrous articles comprising said bioactive composite fibers. Further embodiments concern use of these fibrous articles as a component of a medical implant or as a medical implant, especially as permanent high-strength orthopedic implants for repairing bone fractures or torn ligaments or tendons. Other embodiments include medical devices or implants comprising said fibrous articles.