Coated biomaterials and methods for making same

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Biomaterials useful for orthopedic and dental applications is disclosed. These materials have a base portion of calcium carbonate and a surface layer of a synthetic phosphate such as hydroxyapatite. The base portion may be a calcium carbonate structure having three-dimensional interconnected porosity such as may be found in porous skeletal carbonate of marine life e.g. coral porites skeletal aragonite, or it may be porous or non-porous granules of calcium carbonate. A method for making the biomaterials is also disclosed. The synthetic phosphate surface is made using a hydroconversion reaction with a soluble or solubilized phosphate such as ammonium dibasic phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4).