| abstract |
A matrix and a method for preparing it are provided to support the growth of tissue, such as bone, cartilage or soft connective tissue. A polysaccharide is reacted with an oxidizing agent to open sugar rings on the polysaccharide to form aldehyde groups. The aldehyde groups are reacted to form covalent linkages to mineralized collagen. The matrix can be implanted or injected, or the polyaldehyde polysaccharide and mineralized collagen starting minerals can be separately injected to form the matrix in situ. |