Implantable medical devices comprising bio-degradable alloys

Abstract

The invention provides medical devices comprising high-strength alloys which degrade over time in the body of a human or animal, at controlled degradation rates, without generating emboli. In one embodiment the alloy is formed into a bone fixation device such as an anchor, screw, plate, support or rod. In another embodiment the alloy is formed into a tissue fastening device such as staple. In yet another embodiment, the alloy is formed into a dental implant or a stent.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An implantable medical device comprising a biodegradable alloy, wherein the alloy is substantially austenite in structure, and wherein the alloy has an average grain size in the range of about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns or a surface to volume ratio for individual grains of, on average, greater than 0.1 μ −1 . 
     
     
         2 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the average grain size is about 0.5 microns to about 5.0 microns. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the average grain size is about 1.0 micron to about 2.0 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface to volume ratio for individual grains is, on average, greater than 1.0 μ −1 . 
     
     
         5 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable device is a bone screw, bone anchor, tissue staple, craniomaxillofacial reconstruction plate, fastener, reconstructive dental implant, or stent. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises an austenite promoting component and a corrosion resisting component, and wherein the total amount of the austenite promoting component in the alloy is greater than about 10% and the total amount of the corrosion resisting component is about 0.5% to about 10%. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy contains less than about 0.1% nickel and less than about 0.1% vanadium. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy contains less than about 4% chromium. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy contains less than about 6% cobalt. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy contains less than about 0.1% nickel, less than about 0.1% vanadium, less than about 4% chromium, and less than about 6% of cobalt. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises an austenite promoting component comprising manganese, cobalt, platinum, palladium, iridium, aluminum, carbon, nitrogen, silicon, or any combination thereof, and wherein % platinum+% palladium+% iridium+0.5*(% manganese+% cobalt)+30*(% carbon+% nitrogen) is greater than about 12%. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises a corrosion resisting component comprising chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, or any combination thereof, and wherein % chromium+% molybdenum+% tungsten+0.5*(% tantalum+% niobium)+2*(% titanium+% zirconium+% hafnium) is about 0.5% to about 7%. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises an austenite promoting component comprising manganese, cobalt, platinum, palladium, iridium, aluminum, carbon, nitrogen, silicon, or any combination thereof, wherein % platinum+% palladium+% iridium+0.5*(% manganese+% cobalt)+30*(% carbon+% nitrogen) is greater than about 12%, and wherein the alloy comprises a corrosion resisting component comprising chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, or any combination thereof, wherein % chromium+% molybdenum+% tungsten+0.5*(% tantalum+% niobium)+2*(% titanium+% zirconium+% hafnium) is about 0.5% to about 7%. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is coated with a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is coated with a biodegradable hydrogel. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a geometry that maximizes the surface to mass ratio. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a hollow opening or passageway. 
     
     
         18 . An implantable medical device comprising a biodegradable alloy, wherein the alloy is substantially martensite in structure and comprises iron, carbon, a corrosion resisting component, and an austenite promoting component. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable medical device of  claim 18  which contains about 65% to about 75% iron, about 0.1% to about 0.3% carbon, about 2.0% to about 6.0% of a corrosion resisting component, and about 20% to about 30% of an austenite promoting component. 
     
     
         20 . A container containing the implantable medical device of  claim 1  and an instruction for using the implantable medical device for a medical procedure. 
     
     
         21 . A container containing the implantable medical device of  claim 18  and an instruction for using the implantable medical device for a medical procedure.