Implantable composite apparatus and method

1. A method for implanting an implantable device in a fractured bone of a mammal, the implantable device having an elongated shape and comprising a first thermo-chemically activated portion including a polymer having a glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the first thermo-chemically activated portion is deformable at a first thermo-chemical state in which the temperature of the polymer is greater than the glass transition temperature, and wherein the first thermo-chemically activated portion is hard at a second thermo-chemical state in which the temperature of the polymer is lower than the glass transition temperature, the method comprising:

transforming the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion from the second thermo-chemical state to the first thermo-chemical state;

inserting the implantable device into the fractured bone of the mammal; and

transforming the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion from the first thermo-chemical state to the second thermo-chemical state to harden the first thermo-chemically activated portion to a relatively rigid configuration to provide reinforcement to the fractured bone sufficient to promote healing of the fractured bone.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

increasing a temperature of the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion to transform the first thermo-chemically activated portion from the second thermo-chemical state to the first thermo-chemical state.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein increasing the temperature of the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion comprises increasing the temperature to a maximum of about 65° C.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

deforming the first thermo-chemically activated portion within the intramedullary canal while in the first thermo-chemical state.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein deforming the first thermo-chemically activated portion within the intramedullary canal comprises radially expanding the first thermo-chemically activated portion.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein transforming the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion from the first thermo-chemical state to the second thermo-chemical state further comprises decreasing a temperature of the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein decreasing the temperature of the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion comprises decreasing the temperature the polymer of to a minimum of about 15° C.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

forming a non-linear path into the intramedullary canal of a bone in the mammal;

inserting the first thermo-chemically activated portion along the non-linear path such that the first thermo-chemically activated portion deforms to a non-linear shape to conform to the path as it is inserted along the path;

positioning the first thermo-chemically activated portion in the intramedullary canal; and

transforming the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion from the first thermo-chemical state to the second thermo-chemical state to harden the first thermo-chemically activated portion while the first thermo-chemically activated portion is within the intramedullary canal.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

expanding the first thermo-chemically activated portion within the intramedullary canal.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first thermo-chemically activated portion comprises a first composite portion and the implantable device further comprises a second non-composite portion permanently joined to the first composite portion, and a third non-composite portion permanently joined to the first composite portion such that the first composite portion, the second non-composite portion and the third non-composite portion are positioned in a substantially linear sequence along a length of the implantable device, wherein the first composite portion is positioned adjacent to the second non-composite portion, and the first composite portion is positioned adjacent to the third non-composite portion.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

inserting the implantable device in the intramedullary canal of a bone in the mammal such that the third non-composite portion enters the intramedullary canal first, followed by the first composite portion, followed by the second non-composite portion.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implantable device further comprises a second thermo-chemically activated portion, the method further comprising:

radially expanding the first thermo-chemically activated portion to a first diameter; and

radially expanding the second thermo-chemically activated portion to a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.