Modifiable implants
AssigneeElwha LLC
InventorsRoderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Stephen L. Malaska, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to implants having a modifiable structural connectivity between one or more members thereof. In an embodiment, a modifiable implant includes a first member coupled to a second member by a reactive composite material having a release mechanism therein. A structural connectivity of the implant can be modified upon activation of the release mechanism. Systems and methods of using the same are disclosed.
Claims59
A modifiable implant, comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- and
- a reactive composite material coupling at least a portion of the first member to the at least a portion of the second member to limit movement therebetween, the reactive composite material including a release mechanism configured to modify a structural connectivity of the modifiable implant upon activation of the release mechanism.
A method of modifying an implant, the method comprising:
- positioning the implant in a subject, the implant including,
- a first member;
- a second member;
- a reactive composite material including a release mechanism configured to modify a structural connectivity of the implant upon activation of the release mechanism, the reactive composite material coupling at least a portion of the first member to at least a portion of the second member;
- and
- activating the release mechanism to at least partially dissociate the reactive composite material between the first member and the second member.
A system for modifying an implant, the system comprising:
- an implant including,
- a first member;
- a second member;
- a reactive composite material coupling at least a portion of the first member to at least a portion of the second member to limit movement therebetween, the reactive composite material including a release mechanism;
- and
- a stimulus source configured to provide a stimulus to the release mechanism effective to cause activation thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.