Medical implant with electromagnetic radiation responsive polymer and related methods
A medical implant is for insertion into a bone. The medical implant may include a zone having a polymer material configured to transition from a solid condition to a softened condition when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and be flowable into interspaces of the bone in the softened condition. The medical implant may include a light-conducting portion configured to conduct the electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source to the zone when the medical implant is inserted into the bone.
1. A medical implant for insertion into a bone comprising:
a zone comprising a polymer material configured to
transition from a solid condition to a softened condition when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and
be flowable into interspaces of the bone in the softened condition; and
a light-conducting portion configured to conduct the electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source to the zone when the medical implant is inserted into the bone;
the polymer material having a molar heat capacity greater than 1.6 kJ/kmolK.
2. The medical implant of claim 1 , wherein the zone comprises at least one of a colored layer and a reflecting layer.
3. The medical implant of claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the colored layer and the reflecting layer has a thickness of at least 0.01 μm.
4. The medical implant of claim 2 , wherein a spectral absorption coefficient of the at least one of the colored layer and the reflecting layer is greater than 1,000 Mol −1 .
5. The medical implant of claim 2 , wherein an absorption coefficient of the colored layer is reduced by a factor of at least 1.5 when the polymer material transitions to the softened condition.
6. The medical implant of claim 1 , wherein the transition of the polymer material from the solid condition to the softened condition occurs below a temperature of 250° C.
7. The medical implant of claim 1 , further comprising a depression configured to fasten at least one light-conducting structure.
8. The medical implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer material is selected from the groups consisting of: poly-alpha-hydroxyester, polyorthoester, polyanhydride, polyphosphazenes, poly(propylenefumarate), polyesteramide, polyethylenefumarate, polylactide, polyglycolide, polycaprolacton, trimethylenecarbonate, polydioxanone, polyhydrobutyrate, as well as their copolymers and mixtures.
9. The medical implant of claim 1 , wherein the zone comprises a plurality of regions with different absorption coefficients.
10. The medical implant of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fibers; and wherein the zone coats the plurality of fibers.
11. The medical implant of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of an open-pore foam and sponge, a bone fixating element, or at least one of a dental implant and dental root implant.
12. The medical implant of claim 1 , further comprising an elevation configured to fasten at least one light-conducting structure.
13. The medical implant of claim 1 , further comprising a coating configured to receive colored substances upon contact with body fluids containing the colored substances.
14. The medical implant of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of portions that do not soften when the polymer material transitions to the softened condition.
15. The medical implant of claim 1 , wherein the zone comprises at least one a colored component, a color-receiving component, and a reflective component.
16. A medical implant for insertion into a bone comprising:
a zone comprising a polymer material configured to
transition from a solid condition to a softened condition when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and
be flowable into interspaces of the bone in the softened condition; and
a light-conducting portion configured to conduct the electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source to the zone when the medical implant is inserted into the bone;
said zone comprising at least one of a colored layer and a reflecting layer with a thickness of at least 0.01 μm.
17. The medical implant of claim 16 , wherein the transition of the polymer material from the solid condition to the softened condition occurs below a temperature of 250° C.
18. The medical implant of claim 16 , further comprising a depression configured to fasten at least one light-conducting structure.
19. A medical implant for insertion into a bone comprising:
a zone comprising a polymer material configured to
transition from a solid condition to a softened condition when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and
be flowable into interspaces of the bone in the softened condition; and
a light-conducting portion configured to conduct the electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source to the zone when the medical implant is inserted into the bone;
said zone comprising at least one of a colored layer and a reflecting layer with a spectral absorption coefficient greater than 1,000 Mol −1 cm −1 .
20. The medical implant of claim 19 , wherein the transition of the polymer material from the solid condition to the softened condition occurs below a temperature of 250° C.
21. The medical implant of claim 19 , further comprising a depression configured to fasten at least one light-conducting structure.
22. A medical implant for insertion into a bone comprising:
a zone comprising a polymer material configured to
transition from a solid condition to a softened condition when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and
be flowable into interspaces of the bone in the softened condition; and
a light-conducting portion configured to conduct the electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source to the zone when the medical implant is inserted into the bone;
said zone comprising at least one of a colored layer and a reflecting layer;
wherein an absorption coefficient of the colored layer is reduced by a factor of at least 1.5 when the polymer material transitions to the softened condition.
23. The medical implant of claim 22 , wherein the transition of the polymer material from the solid condition to the softened condition occurs below a temperature of 250° C.
24. The medical implant of claim 22 , further comprising a depression configured to fasten at least one light-conducting structure.
25. A method for using a medical implant in a bone, the medical implant comprising a zone comprising a polymer material configured to transition from a solid condition to a softened condition when exposed to electromagnetic radiation and be flowable into interspaces of a bone in the softened condition, and a light-conducting portion configured to conduct the electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source to the zone when the medical implant is inserted into the bone, the polymer material having a molar heat capacity greater than 1.6 kJ/kmolK, the method comprising:
positioning of the medical implant outside an implanting point;
exposing the zone to electromagnetic radiation until the polymer material transitions to the softened condition; and
inserting the at least partially softened medical implant at the implanting point.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the zone comprises at least one of a colored layer and a reflecting layer.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the at least one of the colored layer and the reflecting layer has a thickness of at least 0.01 μm.
28. The method of claim 25 , wherein the transition of the polymer material from the solid condition to the softened condition occurs below a temperature of 250° C.