| abstract |
Biocompatible particles (10) and an article incorporating a plurality of such particles. The particles can have means for interconnecting such as an aperture (14) 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, biotechnical 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 as hydroxylapatite. |