Methods and apparatus for a multiple transition temperature implant

Abstract

A shape-memory device manufactured from shape memory material includes multiple activation temperatures. The multiple activation temperatures arise from either the heat treatment of the device during manufacturing, or by combining different elements with different activation temperatures. To manufacture a shape-memory device with multiple activation temperatures, it is formed into a first shape. A first portion of the shape-memory device is heated to a first temperature, and a second portion of the shape-memory device is heated to a second temperature. The shape-memory device is then worked into a second shape. Accordingly, the first portion has a first transition temperature, and the second portion has a second transition temperature. In use, the shape-memory device is placed into a desired position. Energy is applied such that the first portion, second portion, or both portions are transformed.

1 . A shape-memory device, comprising:
 (a) a first portion comprising a first shape memory material, wherein the first portion has a first transition temperature; and   (b) a second portion comprising a second shape memory material, wherein
 (i) the second portion is adapted to conform to an anatomical location, 
 (ii) the second shape memory material has a state transition temperature, wherein the state transition temperature is a temperature at which the second shape memory material would change from a martensitic state to an austenite state, 
 (iii) the second shape memory material of the second portion is in the austenite state, 
 (iv) the state transition temperature is below the first transition temperature, and 
 (v) the state transition temperature is below the temperature at which the shape-memory device is adapted to conform to the anatomical location and such that the second shape memory material is operable to remain in the austenite state when conformed to the anatomical location. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is operable to transition from a first shape to an end use shape upon the application of a first activation energy. 
     
     
         3 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A shape-memory device, comprising:
 (a) a first portion comprising a first shape memory material having a first transition temperature;   (b) a second portion having no transition temperature, wherein
 (i) the second portion is adapted to conform to an anatomical location, and 
 (ii) the first portion is operable to be activated to move from a first shape to an end use shape upon the application of activation energy. 
   
     
     
         29 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 28 , wherein the second portion comprises a second shape memory material in a totally martensite state. 
     
     
         30 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 28 , wherein the second portion comprises a second shape memory material in a totally austenite state. 
     
     
         31 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 28 , wherein the first portion and the second portion comprises different materials connected together in a composite shape-memory device. 
     
     
         32 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 31 , wherein the second portion comprises a non-shape-memory material. 
     
     
         33 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 28 , the first portion is operable to be activated to move from a first shape to an end use shape upon the application of activation energy to secure the shape-memory device in place at the anatomical location. 
     
     
         54 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 28 , wherein the second portion comprises a second shape memory material that is in a state that is neither martensite nor austenite. 
     
     
         55 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 28 , wherein the shape-memory device is an implant. 
     
     
         56 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 28 , wherein the shape-memory device is operable to connect bones. 
     
     
         57 . The shape-memory device of  claim 1 , wherein the first shape memory material and the second shape memory material are different types of shape memory materials. 
     
     
         58 . The shape-memory device of  claim 1 , wherein the first shape memory material and the second shape memory material are the same type of shape memory material. 
     
     
         59 . The shape-memory device of  claim 58 , wherein the same type of shape memory material is nitinol. 
     
     
         60 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape-memory device is an implant. 
     
     
         61 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape-memory device is operable to connect bones. 
     
     
         62 . A shape-memory device, comprising:
 (a) a first portion comprising a first shape memory material, wherein the first portion has a first transition temperature; and   (b) a second portion comprising a second shape memory material, wherein
 (i) the second portion is adapted to conform to an anatomical location, 
 (ii) the second shape memory material has a state transition temperature, wherein the state transition temperature is a temperature at which the second shape memory material would change from an austenite state to a martensite state, 
 (iii) the second shape memory material of the second portion is in the martensite state, 
 (iv) the state transition temperature is above the first transition temperature, and 
 (v) the state transition temperature is above the temperature at which the shape-memory device is adapted to conform to the anatomical location and such that the second shape memory material is operable to remain in the martensite state when conformed to the anatomical location. 
   
     
     
         63 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 62 , wherein the first portion is operable to transition from a first shape to an end use shape upon the application of a first activation energy. 
     
     
         64 . The shape-memory device of  claim 62 , wherein the first shape memory material and the second shape memory material are different types of shape memory materials. 
     
     
         65 . The shape-memory device of  claim 62 , wherein the first shape memory material and the second shape memory material are the same type of shape memory material. 
     
     
         66 . The shape-memory device of  claim 65 , wherein the same type of shape memory material is nitinol. 
     
     
         67 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 62 , wherein the shape-memory device is an implant. 
     
     
         68 . The shape-memory device according to  claim 62 , wherein the shape-memory device is operable to connect bones. 
     
     
         69 . A shape-memory device, comprising:
 (a) a first portion comprising a first shape memory material in a first shape; and   (b) a second portion comprising a second shape memory material, wherein
 (i) the second portion is operable to permanently deform to conform to an anatomical location while the first portion remains in the first shape, 
 (ii) the first portion is operable to transition from the first shape to an end use shape upon the application of a first activation energy while the second portion remains conformed to the anatomical location. 
   
     
     
         70 . The shape-memory device of  claim 69 , wherein the first shape memory material and the second shape memory material are the same type of shape memory material.