Medical implant
Medical implant which at least partially comprises a biocompatible, electrically conductive polymer with electrical resistivity p, having the property of being able to be heated and softened by a flow of current through the polymer.
1. A method for osteosynthesis comprising:
positioning, at an implantation site, a medical implant comprising a biocompatible polymer element being heat-softenable responsive to application of an electric current to the biocompatible polymer element, wherein the biocompatible polymer element is electrically conductive, wherein the biocompatible polymer element comprises different resistivity throughout a volume of the biocompatible polymer element that allows selectively shaping the implant;
heating and softening the biocompatible polymer element of the medical implant by passing an electric current therethrough; and
introducing the heated and softened biocompatible element into the implantation site.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible polymer element has a softening temperature above 40° C.
3. A method for osteosynthesis comprising:
positioning, at an implantation site, a bone fixation device comprising a bone plate with at least one through hole;
positioning a medical implant, which is oversized with respect to the at least one through hole, adjacent the at least one through hole, the medical implant comprising a biocompatible polymer element being heat-softenable responsive to application of an electric current to the biocompatible polymer element, wherein the biocompatible polymer element is electrically conductive, wherein the biocompatible polymer element comprises different resistivity throughout a volume of the biocompatible polymer element that allows selectively shaping the implant;
heating and softening the biocompatible polymer element of the medical implant by passing an electric current therethrough;
fixing the bone fixation device to a bone by inserting the heated and softened biocompatible element into the at least one through hole.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the biocompatible polymer element comprises an electrically conductive polymer.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the biocompatible polymer element has a softening temperature above 40° C.
6. The method of claim 3 , comprising using a patient's body as an electrode to supply electric current to the biocompatible polymer element of the medical implant.
7. A method for osteosynthesis comprising:
positioning, at an implantation site, a medical implant comprising a biocompatible polymer element being heat-softenable responsive to application of an electric current to the biocompatible polymer element, wherein the biocompatible polymer element is electrically conductive and uses a patient's body as an electrode to supply electric current to the biocompatible polymer element of the medical implant;
heating and softening the biocompatible polymer element of the medical implant by passing an electric current therethrough; and
introducing the heated and softened biocompatible element into the implantation site.