| abstract |
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION Biocompatible particles and an article incorporating a plurality of such particles is disclosed. The particles can have means for interconnecting such as an aperture for stringing the particles on a filament or interlocking external shape. A plurality of particles, with or without means for interconnecting, can be fashioned into an article by interconnecting the particles with a flexible material. When the particles have a means for interconnecting, the plurality of particles can also be interconnected by a rigid material. The particles or plurality of interconnected particles are useful for medical, dental or veterinary applications, such as bone, tooth or skin implants, including alveolar ridge augmentation, or as a growth substrate material. Any biocompatible material can be used, including ceramics such a hydroxylapatite. |