US Patent 7494950 Bone cement compositions having fiber-reinforcement and/or increased flowability

The present invention relates in general to implantable compositions, and method for preparing same, containing a calcium salt-containing component, optionally demineralized bone, a plurality of discrete fibers, optionally a flow additive, and optionally continuous reinforcing fibers or an array of organized fibers in the form of mesh. Advantageously, the discrete fibers have a specific aspect ratio (length/diameter) from about 50:1 to about 1000:1. The addition of a small amount of discrete fibers and/or the continuous reinforcing fibers or fiber mesh can cause drastic increases in certain mechanical properties including flexural strength, flexural toughness, and/or screw pullout strength.