PPD, Inc.
POROUS MATERIAL AND PROCESS

Abstract:

A porous material suitable for implant is disclosed comprising a large plurality of substantially spherical intercalated hollows in a polymer. The hollows are formed by combining the polymer with a fugitive material under heat and pressure and subsequently removing the fugitive material to reveal the hollows. Intercalation can be increased by subjecting the fugitive material to a coalescing compacting process prior to combining the fugitive material with the polymer. The porous material can be combined with a solid material such as a solid polymer to fabricate complex implantable materials with a variety of features.