Implantable medical devices comprising bio-degradable alloys with enhanced degradation rates
AssigneesBio DG, Inc., U.S. Department of Energy
InventorsHerbert Radisch, Paul Jablonski
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Abstract
The invention provides medical devices comprising high-strength alloys which degrade over time in the body of a human or animal, at controlled degradation rates, without generating emboli and which have enhanced degradation due to the presence of a halogen component. In one embodiment the alloy is formed into a bone fixation device such as an anchor, screw, plate, support or rod. In another embodiment the alloy is formed into a tissue fastening device such as staple. In yet another embodiment, the alloy is formed into a dental implant or a stent.
Claims26
A method of producing a biodegradable alloy that is austenitic in structure and includes iron, at least one additional metallic element, and an iron reactive component, wherein the iron reactive component is dispersed within the biodegradable alloy at a concentration between about 0.1 ppm to about 500 ppm, and wherein the degradation rate of the biodegradable alloy, when implanted in a biological subject, is greater than the degradation rate of an alloy having the same composition as the biodegradable alloy except the absence of the iron reactive component, the method comprising:
- melting iron, the at least one additional metallic element, and a salt containing the iron reactive component to produce a mixture;
- and
- contacting the mixture with a gas containing the iron reactive component to produce the biodegradable alloy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.