Patent ID: 7494664

Claim:
A composite biomaterial, comprising hydroxyapatite, collagen fibers, and alginate, wherein the composite biomaterial contains homogenously crosslinked alginate contained in a microporous structure of hydroxyapatite and collagen fibers, wherein the c-axis of the hydroxyapatite is oriented along the collagen fibers, and wherein the composite biomaterial is produced by the steps of: a) mixing a composite of hydroxyapatite and collagen having a microporous structure in which the c-axis of the hydroxyapatite is oriented along collagen fibers with alginate; b) mixing a calcium carbonate suspension with the composition produced in step a); and c) mixing gluconic acid powder with the composition produced in step b) to cure the composition by crosslinking the alginate, and allowing carbon dioxide to foam, thereby obtaining the composite biomaterial.