CA2347256C

CA2347256C - Biological materials

Info

Publication number: CA2347256C
Application number: CA002347256A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Junzo Tanaka; Masanori Kikuchi; Kimihiro Miyamoto; Shuji Suwa; Toshiji Ichikawa; Etsuro Yokoyama; Soichi Shono; Takao Okada; Yukari Imamura; Kazuo Takakuda; Yoshihisa Koyama; Shigeo Tanaka; Noriaki Shirahama; Takatoshi Itoh
Original assignee: Kawasumi Laboratories Inc; National Institute for Materials Science; Taki Chemical Co Ltd
Current assignee: National Institute for Materials Science; Taki Chemical Co Ltd; SB Kawasumi Laboratories Inc
Priority date: 1999-08-17
Filing date: 2000-08-10
Publication date: 2006-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-10
Also published as: WO2001012240A1; CA2347256A1; DE60035403T2; DE60035403D1; EP1121943A4; EP1121943A1; US6441073B1; EP1121943B1

Abstract

A biological material containing calcium phosphate and a lactic acid/glycolic acid/ .epsilon. -caprolactone copolymer A
biological material for inducing bone regeneration characterized in that a periost is attached to a biological material containing calcium phosphate and a lactic acid/glycolic acid/ .epsilon. -caprolactone copolymer. A biological material for preventing adhesion containing calcium phosphate and a lactic acid/glycolic acid/ .epsilon. -caprolactone copolymer wherein the composition ratio by mol of lactic acid glycolic acid : .epsilon. -caprolactone is 5-90 : 3-75 : 5-40 % by mol.

Description

BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a biomaterial comprising calcium phosphate and a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone and, more particularly, it relates to an excellent material for organism which is applied to reconstruction of hard tissues and soft tissues in vivo and is gradually degraded and absorbed together with the tissue formation. The present invention further relates to a biomaterial for the induction of osteoanagenesis where periosteum is provided to the above biomaterial by means of suture or adhesion and, particularly, to a biomaterial for the induction of osteoanagenesis which is applied as a quick therapy of big bone defect and is gradually degraded and absorbed. The present invention furthermore relates to a biomaterial for the prevention of adhesion which is applied for the prevention of adhesion of the tissues produced as a result of a self-repair after an operation or by damage of tissues of organism and is gradually degraded and absorbed.

2. Description of the Related Art Defected area in organism which is caused by injury, inflammation, tumor excisior~ or reconstructive cosmetology ofi hand tissues such as bone tissue and cartilaginous tissue and soft tissues such as epithelial tissue, connective tissue and nervous tissue has already been subjected to a prosthetic treatment and to a functional recovery by various methods and there have been also many studies for the materials used therefor.
In subj ecting the bone defect area in oz~ganism to a prosthetic treatmEnt, a self bone implantation showing a better take to implanted area and having less infection of virus, prion, etc. or less immunological problem than homoimplantation az~d heteroimplantation has been carried out already. However, in the case of the self bone implantation, there is a limitation in a collectable amount and, in addition, there are problems such as a risk for infection by formation of new surgical wound for obtaining the bone to be implanted and a tendency that pain of the patient becomes longer.
As a substitute for a self bone implantation, there is a method where metal materials such as stainless steel and titanium alloy are used as artificial bioinaterials and, because of a significant progress of biomaterials and an easy availability of the materials, they have been used actually.
However, in those biomaterials, their physical and mechanical strength is much mare than that of tissues of organism and there is a toxicity of the metal contained therein due to corros~.on_ In addition, their affinity to organism is inferior as well.
Therefore, as a method for improving the affinity to vrgaz~ism, there has been conducted a method where the surface of the metal material is subjected to a surface treatment by a bioaffinitive material such as hydroxyapatite whereby its affinity to the surrounding tissues is improved but that is still insufficient.
On the other hand, as bioaffinitive materials, polymers of lactic acid, glycolic acid, trimethylene carbonate or lactone such as s-caprolactone and copolymers thez~eof which are biodegradable aliphatic polyesters have been investigated as reparative materials as well and, in addition, a block copolymer of polylactic acid, poly-e-caprolactone and polyglycolic acid as mentioned in Japanese ~'atent Laid-Open Hei-09/132638 has also been investigated. However, those materials lower their mechanical strength upon degradation in vi~cro resulting in a fatigue deterioration and, although bone conduction is not inhibited, they rarely show an action for bone induction.
On the other hand, bioceramics such as alumina, bioglass, A-W crystallized glass and hydroxyapatite have a high bioaffinity, have been utili2ed as materials for artificial bone, dental implant, etc. and noted of formation of new bone on the surface in organism and have excellent filling function and adhesion to bone tissues.
However, since those are the materials which are not absorbed in organism, there is a problem that they remain in the formed bone tissues and affect the gz~vwth of new bones and that strength of the bone lowers. Tricalcium phosphate is a material which is absorbed in vi~cro and, when it is used to a defected area of bone, it is absorbed or collapsed from the suz~face of the material and is substituted for the new bone, but its mechanical strength is weak as compaxed with the bone, its use to the area where load such as body weight is applied is limited.
In addition, tricalcium phosphate is in granules and, therefore, it has little ability of giving a shape to a bone implantation mater~.al and of maintaining/stabilizing thereof whereupon there is a problem that a filling operation is difficult to a complicated and broad defect and that cure is delayed due to flowing-out of the granules.
Im oz~der to solve such problems, many materials where bioceramics and polymers are compounded have been studied. In U. S . Patent 4, 347, 234, a complex of bioceramics with collagen is proposed- However, when such collagen is used, its molecular weight, amino acid composition, quantity, water-holding amount, etc _ are not constant because it is a material derived from nature and, in addition, a complete removal of telopeptide moiety having an antigenicity is difficult whereby it causes a foreign body z~eaction in vivo and foreign body giant cell and other phagocytes, etc. are activated whereupon a bone induction is hardly expressed.
In. place of collagen, there have been proposals fbr many materials where aliphatic polyesters such as polylactic acid having no problem in terms of immunology are compounded with hydroxyapati.te. Tn Japanese Patent Laid-Open Hei-10/324641, there is disclosed an absorbable isolating membrane consisting of calcium phosphate and a lactic acid type polyester having a dicarboxylic acid and a diol where a polymerization catalyst is inactivated. In U. S . Patent 4, 595, 713, there ~.s disclosed a complex consisting of a osteoanagenetic substance such as calcium J3-phosphate and hydroxyapatite and a copolymer of lactic acid with s-caprolactone where e-caprolactone occupies the most of the amount. The former is absorbable in vivo and has a bone induction property but, since a lactic acid segment and other components are blocked, property of calciumphosphate appears and properties of forming, retaining and stabilizing the shape are little . In the latter, its mechanical strength to the applied tissue is low arid a degradation rate of the material is slow whereby osteoanagenesis is suppressed. In any of the materials, the problem of little osteoanagenetic amount of calcium ~i-phosphate in vivo is not solved.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open Hei-06/298639, there is disclosed a sustained-released material where tricalcium (3-phosphate is dispersed in a complex of an antibiotic substance with a lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer.
Although there have been many other studies concerning reconstruction of soft tissues such as blood vessel and peripheral nerve, a sufficient material has not been available and, accordingly, there has been a demand for a material having a metabolism similar to that of tissues where a biocompatibility is excellent, strength can be maintained until the tissues are regenerated and degradation and absorption take place after the implantation.
with regard to a biomaterial foz~ induction of osteoanagenesis, a sole use of a material has a limitation foz~
the therapeutic effect and, therefore, with an object of supplementing the osteoanagenetic amount, there have been many studies for a substitution therapy where filling of bone marrow .is utilized. Since bone marrow has many osteoanagenetic cells, its bone inducing property is high. However, with regard to the use of bone marrow, there is a limitation in the collecting amount thereof_ In addition, its application is complicated and, tv a defect in a broad area, a filling operation is difficult and there has been no satisfactory material in terms of a shape-giving property and a retention-stabilizing prope~cty for the prevention of flowing out.
On the other hand, with regard tv a material having an osteoanagenetic ability like bone marrow, there is a periosteum where osteoblasts are abundantly present_ As compared with bone marrow, periosteum can be easily collected ~.n. laz~ge quantities as a membrane without leaving a surgical wound and there is no invasion in the bone wherefrom it is collected because it is regenerated even if taken out. In addition, periosteum is a tough membrane and. therefore, 'here is no problem such as flowing-out at bone marrow..
As such, it has been expected to conduct a treatment of a big bone defect area by application of periosteum and a material having an osteoanagenetic property but it is a currez~t status that no osteoazxagez~etic material having a sufficient property far retaining and stabilizing the periosteum in a filmy form has been available_ Now, biomaterials for the pre~Tention of adhesion will be discussed. A tissue adhesion which is a physiological action after orthopedic. cerebral, thoracic and abdominal surgical operations is due to an adhesion of the organs with the surrounding tissues caused by the production of collagen fiber by fibroblasts as a result of damage of the tissue.
Generation of complications accompanied by such an adhesion or adhesion of the nerve with the area wherE scarred tissue is formed causes pain, biofunction disturbance, etc. and, therefore, that is a problem to a patient due to psychic and physical pain.
With rEgard to such a problem, various methods and many materials used therefor have been studied already. For example, prevention of the adhesion by means of administration of a pharmacological agent such as antithrombotic agent or application of a hyaluronic acid solution or a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is available but, although such a method has a temporary adhesion-preventing action, there is a disadvantage that it is apt to flow out and does not have a sustained effect.
For a physical separation of biotissues, there has been carried out a method where silicon, TeflonT"", polyurethane, oxidized cellulose, or the like is used as a film for the prevention of adhesion. However, they are non-absorbable materials and, therefore, they remain on the surface of the biotissues, which results in not only a delay in repair of the tissues but also a cause of infection and inflammation.
As a means for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Hei-03/295561 proposes a film where collagen is a main component. In addition, cattle pericardium and horse pericardium which are cross-linked with glutaraldehyde are available. However, when such a collagen is used, a complete removal of a telopeptide moiety having antigenicity is difficult and there is a risk of contamination of prion or the like since collagen is a material derived from nature. Further, an aldehyde or an isocyanate is used as a cross-linking agent for controlling the degradation of the adhesion-preventing film but, in the use of such an agent, the degraded product shows a-bad affection i.n vi v0 and that is not preferred.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open Sho-60/14861, in place of collagen, there is proposed an adhesion-pre~renting material consisting of a biodegradable/bioabsorbable high-molecular material such as a copolymer of lactic acid with glycolic acid or a copolymer of lactic acid with caprolactone having no problem in terms of immunology. In Japanese Patent Laid-open Hei-11/192299, there is disclosed a complex material consisting of a biologically active ceramics and a copolymer comprising a combination of p-dioxanone, lactic acid, trimethylene carbonate and caprolactone.
When the inside of the organism changes to a circumstance whez~e adhesion of tissue takes place. tissues become very adhesive to each other and, therefore, a mechanical strength is required because it is necessary to keep the affect of preventing the adhesion for 1-2.5 months and the adhesion-preventing material is held to the tissue by means of suture.
However, those materials are insufficient in terms of both degradation and strength retention.
Although there have been many studies far the prevention of adhesion of tissues as such, no material having a sufficient property as a material for the prevention of adhesion has been available and it is the current status that there has been a demand for a soft material which has an excellent biocompatibility, does not cause an immune reaction such as flare, swelling and induration at the site where the adhesion-preventing material is applied, prevents the adhesion during the period until the tissues are repaired and is degraded and absorbed within a short period after the tissues are repaired.
In order to .solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have carried out an intensive study for a biomaterial which has a biodegradability, does not produce a foreign body reaction in vi vo, has appropriate strength and degradability and is effective for the regeneration of tissues .
The present inventors have further carried out an intensive study for a biomaterial having an appropriate softness for zetention and stabilization of peziosteum as an osteoanagenesis~ inducing material and also for a biomaterial for induction of osteoaz~agenesis produced by attaching periosteum thezeto.
The present inventors have furthermore carried out an intensive study for a biomaterial for the prevention of adhesion which has a biodegradability, dues not produce a foreign body reaction in vi vo, has appropriate strength and degradability and does not inhibit the z~epair of the tissues as an adhesion-preventing material.
As a result, the present invention which wilJ~ be mentioned in detail as hereunder has been accomplished.

SUt~ARY OF TI3E INVENTION
Thus the pz~esent invention relates to a biomaterial comprising calcium phosphate and a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone.
The present invention further relates to a biomaterial for the induction of osteoanagenesis where periosteum is attached by means of suture or adhesion to a biomaterial comprising calcium phosphate and a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactvne where the molar ratio of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone is within a range of 5-90:3-75:5-40 molar The present invention still further relates to a biomaterial for the prevention of adhesion comprising calcium phosphate and a.copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone where the molar ratio of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone is within a range of 5~-90:3-75.5-40 molar $-DETAINED DESCRIPTxON OF THE PREFERRED Er;(BODIMENTS
Now the present invention will be ~.l.lustrated in more detail as hereinafter_ The copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e~
caprolactone used ~n the present invention may be that which i.s prepared by any method so far as it is manufactured by common means. An example for the manufacture is that lactide, glycolide and e-caprolactone are heated in the presence of a catalyst such as stannous octoate, tin chloride, dibutyl tin dilaurate, aluminum isopxopoxide, titanium tetraisopropoxide and triethyl zinc to carry out a ring=opening polymerization at 100°C to 250°C _ Monomer of the lactic acid and the lactide used for the polymerization may be any of D-, L- and DL-compounds or may be a mixture thereof. When monomer and oligomer are present in the resulting copolymer, tissue reaction and degradation rate are abnormally accelerated and degz~aded segments are produced in the absorbing/degrading ability more than that of macrophage, whereby the tissue degeneration is caused. Accordingly, it is pz~eferred to use after being purified by, for example, means of re-precipitation.
The copolymer ef lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone varies in its mechanical strength, softness and hydrolyzing rate depending upon the composition and the molecular weight and, with regard to the copolymer used in the present invention, it is preferred that the s-caprolactone content therein is 1-45 molar ~_ When the content of caprolactone is less than 1 molar ~, the copolymer has a high rigidity and is fragile and, therefore, it cannot be applied because the close adhesion to the biotissues lowers and the degradation rate becomes slow. On the contz~az~y, when the content is more than 45 molar ~, the necessary strength is not achieved and, in addition, the biodegradability and bioabsorbability become slow and that is not preferred_ The lactic acid content and the glycol acid content in the copolymer can be freely changed but, when the glycolic acid content is less than 5 molar ~, there are problems that the necessary degradation rate is not achieved and that regeneration of the tissues is inhibited while, when it is more than 70 molar ~, tissue degeneration may be resulted due to the above~mEntioned degraded segments.
The biomaterial of the present i~ntrention is in such a structure that calcium phosphate is coordinated by a carbonyl group of the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone and, therefore, biodegradability and biotissue inducing ability of calcium phosphate are adjusted whereby its biotissue inducing ability can be significantly promoted.
Generally, the shape of the reconstructed biotissue is complicated but, ra~hen the composition and the molecular weight of the copolymer of lactic acid/glycolic acids-caprolactone are adjusted, various types of material ranging from flexible ones to highly strong ones are formed and, accordingly, the biomaterial of the pz~esent in~rention is not deformed by compression of the tissue but is able to be fixed i.z~, a tightly closed manner to the tissue_ In addition, it is possible to adjust to the degradation rate which is adaptable to the wound of the site to be applied and, therefore, regeneration of the biotissue is not inhibited but a quick tissue repair is possible_ Thus, whezl the biomaterial of the present in~rention is used as a reconstructing material for hard and soft tissues in vi~ro, it is quickly and directly bonded to the tissue, retains its strength during the period until the tissue is regenerated and is gradually absorbed into the organism together with the formation of the new biotissue and, accordingly, it is a biocompatible material which is able to be applied to a broad area.
As hereunder, the biomatez~ial for the induction of osteoanagenesis according to the present invention will be mentioned in detail.;, With regard ,to the periosteum used ,in the, present invention, a self-periosteum is preferred and, in the case of such a self-per~.osteum,~ it is possible to use after collecting from all sites of the organism where,from periosteum can be .
collected. For example, ,when the periosteum excised by a primazy .surgical operation in the therapy of bone defect site is used, ~.t is easily available in large quantities. The periosteum.which is collected before the operation and is preserved can be used as well_ The above=mentioned periosteum is that which is derived from organism but, if an artificial periosteum having the substantially same function.as the above-mentioned periosteum derived from organism will be developed in futuze, such an artificial periosteum may be used as well.
Attachment of the periosteum to the biomaterial may be carried out by any means so far as the periosteum can be fixed and its examples are a suture by means of an absorbable suture and an adhesion by means of a fibrin adhesive. The form of the attachment of the periosteum to the biomaterial may be freely designed depending upon the foz~m (fiber, film, block, tube, etc.) of the biomaterial. For example, tk~.e periosteum may be attached to all of or a part of the surface (one side, both sides, inner surface or outer surface) of the biomaterial depending upon the object of the therapy, The preferred form of the osteoanagenesis inducing material according to the present invention is a filmy shape where periosteum is attached by the above-mentioned means to the surface of the biomaterial in a filmy form and is made round ~.nto a tubular form so that the periosteum is contacted to the bone defect site.
It 15 preferred that the rigidity of the osteoanagenesis inducing material of the present invention is adjusted to 200-20000 MPa at 4-40°C. When it is less than 200 MPa, the rigidity is low and is too soft to apply to the filmy shape while, when it is more than 20000 MPa, the rigidity is high and is too hard to apply to the filmy shape whereby it is impossible to attach the periosteum to the defect site.

Method for the manufacture of the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone used in, the present invention is as mentioned already.
With regard to the copolymer which is used as the material for the induction of osteoanagenesis of the present invention, a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone where the :polar ratio of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone is within a range of 5-90:3-75:5-40 molar ~ is preferred.
Here, when the content of s-caprolactone is less than molar ~, the copolymer has a high rigidity and is fragile whereby attachmEnt of the periosteum thereto is difficult and there is possibility that the biotissue is damaged by the polymer segments. On the other hand, when it is more than 40 molar ~, the necessary strength is nvt achieved and. in addition, biodegradability and bioabsorbability become slow.
The contents of lactic acid and glycolic acid in the copolymer can be freely changed but, when the glycolic acid content is less than 3 molar ~, there are problems.that the necessary degradation rate is not achieved arid that the tissue repair is disturbed While, when it is more than 75b, damage of the tissue may take place by the degraded segments mentioned above.
The lactic acid content in the Copolymer is within a range of 5-9o molar ~ and, when the lactic acid content is less than molar g, the necessary degradation rate is not achieved and repair of the bone tissue is inhibited while, when it is moze than 90 molar b, the rigidity becomes high and there is a possibility that the biotissue is damaged by the polymer segments.
Now, the biomaterial for the prevention of adhesion according to the present invention will be mentioned in detail .
Method for the manufacture of a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone used in the present invention is as mentioned above.
With regard to the copolymer which is used for the present invention, a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone Where the molar ratio of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone is within a range of 5-90:3-75.5-40 molar ~ is preferred.
Here, when the content of e-caprolactone is less than 5 molar ~k, the copolymer has a high rigidity and is fragile whereby there is a possibility that the biotissue is damaged by the polymer segments . On the other hand, when it is more than 40 molar ~, the necessary strength is not achieved and, in addition, biodegradability and bioabsarbability become slow_ The contents of lactic acid and glycolic acid in the copolymer can be freely changed but, when the glycolic acid content is less than 3 molar ~, there are problems that the necessary degradation rate is not achieved and that the tissue repair is inhibited while, when it is move than 75a, damage of the tissue may take place by the degraded segments mentioned above.
The lactic acid content in the copolymer is within a range of 590 molar a and, when the lactic acid content is less than molar ~, the necessary degradation rate is not achiEVed and repair of the bone tissue is inhibited.
When it is more than 90 molar ~. the rigidity becomes high and there is a risk that the biotissue is damaged by the.
polymer segments.
It is preferred that the number-average molecular weight of the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone is 30, 000-200, 000. TiShen the molecular weight of the copolymer is out of the above range and is lower than 30, 000, a lot of monomers and oligomers such as lactic acid and glycolic acid are contained and, therefore, there is a problem of strong stimulation to the biotissues and, in addition, hydrolysis is promoted resulting in a reduction i.n the strength whereby physical properties and adhesion-preventing effect during the necessary period are nvt available. on the other hand, when the molecular weight is more than 200, 000, the hydrolyzing rate lowers inhibiting the repair of bone tissues and. in addition, a mixing operation with calcium phosphate is difficult whereby dispersion of calcium phosphate in the copolymer becomes non--homogeneous.
Incidentally, other copolymer components in small quantities may be contained as well within such an extent that the object of the present invention is not deteriorated.
Examples of such copolymer components are ~i-hydroxybutyrie acid and a cyclic monomer constituting a hydroxycarboxylic acid such as y-butyrolactone and 8-valerolactone.
Examples of the calcium phosphate used in the present invention are tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite and calcium secondary phosphate. The most preferred calcium phosphate in relation to the copolymer of the present invention is tricalcium phosphate which has a good affinity to the Copo~.ymer and is substituted with new tissues by absorption and disintegration. in v_ivo promoting the regeneration and the repair of bone tissues. It is preferred to use calcium phosphate having an average particle size of 0.1 to 200 Nm.
When the average particle size is less than 0.1 Vim, the dissolving rate is too quick to show a sufficient tissue-reconstructing ability and, in addition, degradation of the material is promoted whereby sufficient effects of bone repair and adhesion prevention are not achieved. On the contrary, when the average particle size is more than 200 Eun, the dissolving rate becomes slow whereby the tissue reconstruction is inhibited and, in addition, the tissue repair is delayed ,.
due to calcium phosphate existirig on the surface of the material .

Further, the preferz~ed tricalcium phosphate in the present invention is tricalcium phosphate which is sintered at 650--1500°C. As a result of the sintering, structure of tricalcium phosphate is stabilized resulting iz~ a high density and, when. the sintering temperature is lower than 650°C, an unstable structure where hydrated water is present in tricalcium phosphate is resulted whereby degradation of the polymer is promoted upon compounding. On the contrary, when it is higher thaza 1500°C, tricalcium phosphate begins to decompose and the components which inhibit biotissue reconstruction, bone tissue repair and biotissue repair are produced.
In order to prepare a biomaterial which has appropriate strength and degradation property and which is effective for the tissue regeneration, an osteoanagenetic induction material which is effective for the bonE tissue repair and a material for the prevention of adhesion in the pz~esent invention, it is necessary to prepare a biomaterial, that is a complex of calcium phosphate with a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone. Such a complex or a biomaterial can be manufactured, for example, by the following method.
Thus, it is manufactured by heating and kneading calcium phosphate with a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone at the temperature of higher than the softening point of the copolymer. Although the condition of heating and kneading cannot be specified because it varies depending upon, for example, the composition and the molecular weight of the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone used and also upon the type and the physical property of calcium phosphate, it is preferably carried out in vacuo, in air or in a nitrogen atmosphere at 50-250°C.
With regard to the kneading time, about 5-60 minutes are required. Examples of the methods for the manufacture of the biomaterial other than the heating/kneading method are a method where calcium phosphate is mixed with a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone in a solvent followed by removing the solvent and a method where they are subjected to a solid mixing followed by being subjected to a pressurized press or to a heating press.
Calcium phosphate and a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone may be mixed in any ratio and the resulting complex varies in its physical property such as tensile strength and degradation rate depending upon the mixing ratio. In general, however, it is preferred that the mixing ratio of calcium phosphate to the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone in terms of weight is 1:0.1 to 1:2Ø When the content of the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone is less than 0.1, the complex becomes fragile and lowers its shape-giving property and retention stability while, when the content of the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-capz~olactone is more than 2.0, the rxecessary strength and rigidity are not achieved and the tissue inducing and regenerating ability and the functions as an osteoanagenesis inducing material and an adhesion preventiz~,g material are reduced.
It is also possible that pharmaceuticals such as physiological substances including anti-tumor agent, anti-cancer agent, anti.-inflammatory agent, vitamins ( for example, vitamin D of an activated type) and polypeptide (for example, a thyroid stimulating hormone) are added to the complex to give a sustained.released function whereby the tissue regeneration and the bone tissue repair are promoted within such an extent that the characteristics of the biomaterial, osteoanagenetic inducing material and adhesion preventing material obtained by the present invention are not deteriorated. It 1s further possible that the biomaterial, the osteoanagezaesis inducing material and the adhesion preventing material of the present invention are used as az~ adhesion preventing film, an artificial blood vessel, a nerve repair inducing pipe, etc.
The complex and the osteoanagenesis inducing material which are manufactured as such can be molded by known methods such as casting, injection molding, extrusion molding and hot press and may be used in any form such as fibez, film, block and tube . It is also possible to prepare a porous product by, for example, means of a freeze-drying from a sol~crent.
In addition, the biomaterial, the osteoanagenesis inducing material and the adhesion preventing material according to the present in~erent~.on have characteristics that they can be easily deformEd by heating by, for example, means of dipping in hot water whereby their filling into a complicated site to be treated can be carried out easily- During the period from embedding and filling into organism until regeneration and repair of the tissue, the complex and the biomaterial retain their form and strength even near the body temperature and are quite effective for the utilization even to the site where a load such as body weight is applied.
EXAMPLES
The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the following examples although the present invention is not limited thereto. Incidentally, ~ stands for that by weight in all cases unless otherwise mentioned.
(Example 1) L-Lactide (220 g) , 35 g of glycolide and 45 g of s-caprolactone were subjected to a polymerization z~eaction in the presence of 0.01 g of stannous octoate in vacuo (10'' mmHg) at 150°C for 24 hours. After the reaction, the pz~oduct was purified by dissolving in chloroform followed by separating in methanol. to give 1858 of copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone_ The number-average molecular weight of the copolymer prepared as such by means of a GPC was 120,000 and its composition by means of an H-NMR in terms of molar ratio of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone was 80:15:5_ The above-prepared copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone was heated and kneaded at 200°C for 10 minutes with tricalcium ~i-phosphate of an a'~erage particle size of 1 Eun sintered at 800°C in a ratio of 30/70 by. weight.
According to the result of the strength test, the resulting complex had a uniform composition, showed a strength near the bone strength and had a bending strength of 70 MPa and a Young' s rnodulus of 25 GPa_ Rs a result of the cell incubation experiment, both of tricalcium phosphate and the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolaetone used for the complex showed the characteristics to organisms prior to making into a complex.
(Examples 2-9) Copolymers of lactic acid. glycolic acid and caprolactone having varied compositions were synthesized and made into complexes by mixing with calcium phosphate having different physical property in the ratios as shown in Tables 1-2 whereupon biomaterials were manufactured. The results are shown in Tables 1-2. Incidentally, their number-avezage molecular weights were about 90,000-120,000.

Table 1 Ex Composition Tricalcium Composition Property of p- of Complex of Copolymer Phosphate (Ratio Biomaterial Molar by Weight) Ratio t-A GA CL Average SinteredTricalciumCopolymerBendingYoung's ParticleTemp. p- StrengthModules Size C Phos (MPa) (GPa) hate 3 70 25 5 '! 800 50 50 40 ' 3 ~6 60 10 30 1 800 70 30 40 2 Note : LA ... L-Lactic Acid GA ... Glycol is Acid CL~ ... s-Caprolactone Table 2 Bx Composition Calcium PhosphateComposition Property of Complex of of Copolymer Species (sintered(Ratio Biomaterial by Weight) Molar temperature:
Ratio LA GA CL 800C; average Calcium CopolymerBendingYoung's particle size:Phosphate StrengthModutus 1 arm) MPa GPa 7 80 15 5 Tricalcium 70 30 .40 15 a-Phos hate 8 75 20 S H drox a atite50 50 70 15 9 75 20 5 H drox a atite70 30 100 20 <Evaluation of Biotissue Inducing Rbility>
The biomaterials manufactured in Examples 2-4 v"t2re made into a film having a thickness of about 200 amusing a hot press, sterilized with ethylene oxide and implanted to an artificial defect of mandible of a dog. As a result, the complex film disappeared within about 9 weeks and the defect part was reconstructed within about J.2 weeks.
(Comparative Example 1) A binary copolymer of lactic acid with glycolic acid (80:20) having a number-average molecular weight of 100,000 was synthesized by the same method as in Example Z _ This was heated and kneaded at 200°C for l0 minutes with tricalcium oc-phosphate being sintered at 800°C and having an average particle size of 1 ~m in a ratio of 70/30 by weight whereupon a complex was synthesized.
The resulting complex had a high rigidity and was fragile and, accordingly, its molding was difficult or, in other words, its shape was unable to be retained.
(Comparative Example 2) A binary copolymer of lactic acid with e-caprolactone (70:30) having a number-molecular weight of 110,000 was synthesized in the same way as in Comparative Example 1 and a complex was synthesized by the same method as in Comparati~sre Example 1 . The complex was made into a film having a thickness of about 200 Eun using a hot press, sterilized with ethylene oxide and implanted to an artificial defect of mandible of a dog. As a result of an observation for about 12 weeks, the degradation rate of the complex was slow and regeneration of the tissue was inhibited.
(Example 10) Ftr~1 coati on of Bone Ti ssue Inducing Ah7 1~
L-Lactide (220 g), 35 g of glycolide and 196 g of s-caprolactone were subjected a polymerization reaction in the presence of 0 . 01 g of stannous octoate in vacuo ( 10'3 mmHg) at 150°C for 24 hours. After the reaction, the product was purified by dissolving in chloroform followed by separating in methanol to gi~re 273 g of a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone.
A number-average molecular weight of the copolymer prepared as such by means of a GPC was 100,000 and its composition (molar ratio) by means of az~ H-NMR was lactic acid/glycolic acid/a~caprolactone = 65/8/27_ The resulting copolymer of lactic acid. glycolic acid and s-caprolactone was heated and kneaded at 180°C for 10 minutes with tricalcium ~3-phosphate being sintered at 800°C
and having an averag~ particle size of 10 ~m in the ratio as shown in Table 3 whereupon a complex was prepared.
The biomaterial prepared as such was molded by a hot press method to manufacture a film having a thickness of 200 Eun followed by sterilizing with ethylene oxide. Result of the physioal property is showz~ in Table 3.

Table 3 Ex Composition Calcium Composition Physical of [3- of Complex Property of Copolymer Phosphate (Ratio Complex by Weight) Material Molar Room Ratio Tem LA GA CLT Average SinteredCalcium CopolymerTensileRigidity (3-ParticleTemp. phosphate Strength(MPa) Size C (MPa) m Result of the cell incubation test was that both of the tricalciumphosphate and the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s~caprolactene used as the above-mentioned filmy biomaterials retained their characteristics to organism before making ~.nto the complex_ An evaluation was carried out using an artificial~.y deficient animal model where tibia of a dog was deficient in mm. Periosteum collected from the defect part was sutured on the surface of the above-mentioned filmy biomaterial to prepare a filmy osteoanagenesis inducing material, the resulting osteoanagenesis inducing material was made round in a tubular shape so as to contact to the bone defect site and, at the same time, implanted by an absorbable suture so as to cover the defect part followed by fixing using an external skeletal fixer and then the elapse of the osteoanagenesis was observed by means of X-ray or the like.
As a result, disappearance of the osteoanagenesis inducing material after 4 weeks from the implantation and an early induction of regeneration of the bone at the defect site were observedby an observation of X-ray picture. After 8 weeks from the implantation, the animal was able to walk even when a wire of the external skeletal fixer was partially cut. After 12 weeks, an incision was conducted and disappearance of the osteoanagenesis inducing material and regeneration of the bone defect part were confirmed by naked eye. After 24 weeks, the animal was completely able to walk in such a state that the external skeletal fixer was removed.
(Compazative Example 3) In accordance with the same method as in Example 1.0, a binary polymer of lactic acid and glyeolic acid (80:20) having a number-average molecular weight of 100, 000 was synthesized.
This was heated and kneaded at 200°C for 10 minutes with tricalcium oc-phosphate being sintered at Boo°C and having an average particle size of 1 ~.~.tn in a ratio of 70/30 by we~.ght whereupon a complex was synthesized.
Since the resulting complex had a high rigidity and was fragile, its molding was difficult and the attaching the periosteum thereto using an absorbable suture was impossible either.
(Comparati.ve Example 4 ) In accordance with the same method as in Comparative Example 3, a binary copolymer of lactic acid and e-caprolactone (70:30) having a number-average molecular weight of 110,000 was synthesized and then a complex was synthesized by the same method as in Comparative Example 3. The complex was made into a fiilm having a thickness of about 200 ~.m using a hot press and sterilized with ethylene oxide, periosteum was attached thereto using an absorbable suture and the product was implanted td a bone defect part of tibia of a dog. After 12 weeks, an incision was conducted and an observation by naked eye revealed that the degradation z~ate of the complex was so slow that its residue was noted whereupon regeneration of the bone defect part was inhibited_ (Example 11) T~--Lactide (210 g) , 35 g of glycolide and 53 g of e-Caprolactone were subjected to a polymerization react~.on in vacuo (10-' nunHg) at 1S0°C for 24 hours in the presence of 0.01 g of stannous octoate. After the reaction, the product was purified by dissolving in chloroform followed by separating in methanol whereupon 180 g of a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone were obtained.
The number-average mo~.ecular weight by means of a GPC
of the copolymer prepared as such r,ras 110,000 and the composition (in terms of molar ratio) by means of an H-NMR was lactic acid , glycolic acid _ s-caprolactone = 78:15:7.
The above-prepared copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone was heated and kneaded at 200°C for 10 minutes with tricalcium ~i-phosphate of an average particle size of 1 Nm sintered at 800°C in a ratio of 30/70 by weight.

r According to the result of the strength test, the resulting complex had a uniform composition and had a bending strength of 68 MPa and a Young' s modulus of 25 GPa. As a result of the cell incubation experiment, both tricalcium phosphate and the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone used for the complex showed the characteristics to organisms as same as those prior to making into a complex.
(Examples 12-17) Copolymers of lactic acid, glycolic acid and E-caprolactone having varied compositions were synthesized and made into complexes by mixing with calcium phosphate having different physical pz~operty in the rat~.os as shown in Tables 4-5 whereupon adhesion,preventive materialswere manufactured_ The results are shown in Tables 4-5. IncidentaJ.lv, the number-average molecular weights of the Copolymers were about 90, 000-120, 000.
Table 4 Ex Composition Tricalcium Composition Property (3- of Complex of Biomaterial of Phosphate (Ratio Copolymer by Weight) olar Ratio LA GA Ct. Average SinteredTricalciumCopolymerBending Young's ParticleTemp. ~3_ StrengthModulus Size C Phos hate (MPa (GPa) Note : LA ._. L-Lactic Acid GA ... Glycolic Acid CZ ... e-Caprolactone Table 5 Ex Composition Calcium PhosphateComposition Property of Complex of of Species (sintered(Ratio Biomaterial Copolymer by Weight) Molar temperature:
Ratio 800C;

LA GA Ct_ average par~cleCalcium CopolymerBendingYoung's size: 1 ~,m) Phosphate StrengthModulus MPs GPs 16 78 15 7 Tricalcium 70 30 38 15 a.-Phos hate ~

17 50 45 5 H drox a atite50 50 40 7 «valuation of Adhesion Preventing Materials >
The adhesion preventing materials manufactured in Examples 11-17 were made into a film having a thickness of about 100 dun using a hot press and sterilized with ethylene oxide.
A part (5 x 5 czn) of an intestinal tract of a dog (body weight:
about 10 kg) was detached and the adhesion preventing material was fixed to the detached part by means of suture. incisions were carried out after 4 weeks and 8 weeks and checking whether the detached part was adhered was carried out by naked eye and, as a result, in any of the adhesion preventing materials, the operated part was not adhered and repair of the tissue was noted.
(Comparat.ive Example 5) A binary copolymer of lactic acid with glycolic acid (70:30) having a number-average molecular weight of 100,000 was synthesized by the same method as in Example 11. This was heated and kneaded at 200°C for 10 minutes with tricalcium ac-phosphate being sintered at 800°C and having an average particle size of 1 ~m in a ratio of 70/30 by weight whereupon a complex was synthesized. The resulting complex was made into a film having a thickness of about 100 Eam using a hot press but, sznce it had a high rigidity and was fragile, it was broken upon the stage of suture.
(Comparative Example 6) A binary copolymer of lactic acid with s-caprolactone (70:30) having a n.urnber-molecular weight of 110,000 was synthesized in the same way as in Comparative Example 5 and a complex was synthesized by the same method as in Comparative Example 5. The complex was evaluated according to the evaluating method as mentioned in the above <Evaluation of Adhesion Preventing Materials> and, when an observation was done by means o~ an incision after 8 weeks, the degradation rate of the complex was slow inhibiting the repair of .the tissue_ EFFECT OF THE INVENxrON
The biomateria~. prepared by the present inventioza comprising calcium phosphate and a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone shows an excellent biocompatibility, appropriate strength~and degradation rate and is a material which is effective for the regeneration of tissues_ When the biomaterial is used as a zeconstructing material for hard tissues or soft tissues, its strength is retained during the period until the tissues are.regenerated and it is absorbed into the organism together with the regeneration of the tissues whereby it does not inhibit the regeneration of the tissues . rn addition, there is no foreign body reaction by the residue.
Further, the biomaterial for inducing the osteoanagenesis where periosteum is attached to a complex containing calcium phosphate and a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone prepared by the present invention has an excellent biocompatibility, appropriate rigidity and degradation rate and can be freely adjusted depending upon the shape of the site to be treated. The said complex is gradually degraded in vivo whereupon calcium phosphate is released therefrom_ During the osteoanagenetic stage, the material functions as a paztition between the site to be treated and the outer area, inhibits the invasion of fibroblasts from the surrounding soft tissues and forms an environment which is advantageousfor the osteoanagenesis. At the same time, hematvpoietic cells are provided from the periosteum ~shile calcium phosphate is provided from the said complex to promote the osteoanagenesis and, after the osteoanagenesis, the material is metabolized or becomes a part of the bone in vi vo_ Accordingly, the material can be used for the therapy of big bone defect part for which a complete therapy has hot been possible in the conventional methods and the material can be effectively used for a regenerative therapy of bone tissues_ Furthermore, the biomaterial for the prevention of adhesion in accordance with the present invention is in such a structure that calcium phosphate is coordinated to a carbonyl group in the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and e-caprolactone and, therefore, the acid which is produced as a result of degradation of the copolymer is neutrali2ed by a degradation of calcium phosphate in vivo whereby the strength of the material can be retained. Accordingly, the biomaterial shows a neutral characteristic in vivo and, therefore, damage of the biotissues is v~ry little. Zn addition, the biomaterial shows a very high strength and, therefore, it is suitable as a material for the prevention, of adhesion_ For example, when the copolymer used in the present invention having a film thickness of 300 Eun is solely dipped in a physiological saline of 37°C for 9 weeks, pH of the solution is 3~4 while, in the case of the material for the prevention of adhesion in accordance with the present invention, a neutral pIi of 6. 5-7 is retained _ Further, with regard to its tensile strength, the necessary strength lowers within 2 weeks in the farmer case of the copolymer only while, in the material of the present invention, its strength can be retained for 12 weeks or even longer.

Accordingly, the material for the prevention of adhesion in accordance with the present invention does not inhibit the repair of the biotissues and has a degradation rate which is suitable for the adhesion of the applied site_ Although the shape of biotissues are complicated in general, it is possible to manufacture various types of materials ranging from flexible to highly stz~ong ones by adjusting the composition and the molecular weight of the copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and s-caprolactone.
xherefore, the material of the present invention for the prevention of adhesion is not broken by compression of the tissues and can be fixed to the tissues in a closely contact manner achieving an excellent effect of prevention of adhesion.
Thus, when the biomaterial of the present invention for the prevention of adhesion is used in vi vo, its strength is retained during the period until the tissues are repaired and it is gradually absorbed into the oz~ganism together with the repair of the tissues whereby it is a ~natex~ial for the prevention of adhesion which is applicable to a broad site_ The biomaterial of the present invention for the prevention of adhesion shows an excellent biocompatibility and has appropriate strength and degradation rate and, therefore, it has an excellent tissue repairing ability. During the period until the tissue is repaired, its shape and strength are retained and it is absorbed into an organism togethex with the repair of the tissue whereby it is an excellent material where the tissues do not adhere to each other arid there is no residue which causes the foreign body reaction.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A biomaterial comprising calcium phosphate and a co-polymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and .epsilon.-caprolactone, where-in the .epsilon.-caprolactone content in the copolymer is within a range of about 1 to about 45 molar % and the glycolic acid content in the copolymer is within a range of about 5 to about 70 molar %.

2. The biomaterial according to claim 1, which is a bio-material for the induction of osteoanagenesis or a biomaterial for the prevention of adhesion, wherein a periosteum is attached to the biomaterial.

3. A biomaterial for the prevention of adhesion comprising calcium phosphate and a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and .epsilon.-caprolactone, wherein the copolymer has a molar ratio of lactic acid, glycolic acid and .epsilon.-caprolactone within a range of 5-90:3-75:5-40.

4. The biomaterial according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a ratio of calcium phosphate to the copolymer in terms of weight is 1:0.1 to 1:2Ø

5. The biomaterial according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is manufactured by heating and kneading calcium phosphate with the copolymer.

6. The biomaterial according to claim 5, wherein the heating/kneading temperature is 50-250°C.

7. The biomaterial according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the copolymer is 30,000-200,000.

8. The biomaterial according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein calcium phosphate is tricalcium phosphate.

9. The biomaterial according to claim 8, wherein trical-cium phosphate has a particle size of 0.1 to 200 µm.

10. The biomaterial according to claim 8 or 9, wherein tricalcium phosphate is sintered at 650-1500°C.

11. Use of a biomaterial for the induction of osteoana-genesis, the biomaterial comprising:
- a periosteum attached to the biomaterial;
- calcium phosphate; and - a copolymer of lactic acid, glycolic acid and .epsilon.-capro-lactone, wherein the e-caprolactone content in the copolymer is within a range of about 1 to about 45 molar % and the glycolic acid con-tent in the copolymer is within a range of about 5 to about 70 molar %.

12. Use according to claim 11, characterized in that the rigidity of the biomaterial is 200-20000 MPa at 4-40°C.

13. Use according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the copolymer has a molar ratio of lactic acid, glycolic acid and .epsilon.-caprolactone within a range of 5-90:3-75:5-40 in the bio-material.

14. Use according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the ratio of calcium phosphate to the copolymer in terms of weight is 1:0.1 to 1:2Ø

15. Use according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the copolymer is 30,000-200,000.

16. Use according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the calcium phosphate is tricalcium phosphate.

17. Use according to claim 16, wherein the tricalcium phosphate has a particle size of 0.1 to 200 µm.