Biocompatible implant and method of using same

A bone plug for forming a barrier within a cavity formed in living tissue, the living tissue being at a first temperature, said bone plug comprising:

• a main body being operable to be inserted into the cavity;
• and
• means for securing said main body in a substantially stationary position within the cavity, said means for securing said main body in a substantially stationary position
• (a) being relatively nonelastic when in a first thermochemical state so as to secure said bone plug within the cavity of the living tissue after said bone plug has been inserted into the cavity, said first thermochemical state defined at least in part by the first temperature, and
• (b) being relatively elastic at a second thermochemical state so as to be deformable when said bone plug is forceably inserted into the cavity in the living tissue, said second thermochemical state being at least partially defined by a temperature above the first temperature but less than about 70.degree. C. where the living tissue suffers cell damage;
• whereby said means for securing said main body in a substantially stationary position is operable to be converted from said first thermochemical state to said second thermochemical state prior to being inserted into the cavity, said means for securing said main body in a substantially stationary position is further operable to return to said first thermochemical state from said second thermochemical state after said bone plug is inserted into the cavity in the living tissue.

A bone plug for use in partially defining an enclosed region within a cavity formed in living tissue, said living tissue being at a first temperature;

• said bone plug comprising:
• a main body being operable to be inserted into the cavity;
• a flange for securing said main body within said cavity when said flange is at said first thermochemical state, said first thermochemical state defined at least in pat by the first temperature,
• (a) said first flange being relatively nonelastic when said first flange is in the first thermochemical state so as to secure said bone plug within the cavity of the living tissue after said bone plug has been inserted into the cavity,
• (b) said first flange being relatively elastic at a second thermochemical state so as to allow said first flange to be deformable when said bone plug is forceably inserted into the cavity in the living tissue, said second thermochemical state being at least partially defined by a temperature above a normal temperature range for the living tissue but less than about 70.degree. C.;
• said flange protruding laterally outwardly from said main body and having a laterally-extending engagement surface thereon for at least partially engaging the living tissue when said bone plug is inserted into the cavity and said flange is deformed, said engagement surface having discontinuities thereon that protrude therefrom for engaging the living tissue when said bone plug is inserted into the cavity and the flange is deformed.

A bone plug for forming a barrier within a cavity formed in living tissue,said living tissue being at a first temperature, said bone plug comprising:

• a main body being operable to be inserted into the cavity;
• securing means for securing said main body to a substantially stationary position within the cavity, said securing means
• (a) being relatively nonelastic when in a first thermochemical state so as to secure said bone plug within the cavity of the living tissue after said bone plug has been inserted into the cavity, said first thermochemical state being defined at least in part by the first temperature,
• (b) being relatively elastic at a second thermochemical state so as to be deformable when said bone plug is forceably inserted into the cavity in the living tissue, said second thermochemical state being defined at least in part by a second temperature which is between the first temperature and about 70.degree. C.;
• and
• said securing means further includes a laterally-extending engagement surface located thereon, said engagement surface including discontinuities thereon for at least partially engaging the living tissue when said bone plug is inserted into said cavity and said securing means is deformed by said engagement with the living tissue,
• whereby said securing means is operable to be converted from said first thermochemical state to said second thermochemical state prior to be inserted into said cavity, said means for securing is further operable to return to said first thermochemical state from said second thermochemical state after said bone plug is inserted into the cavity in the living tissue.