Medshape Solutions, Inc.

Medshape, Inc.

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

University of Colorado

Emory University

Conmed Corporation

Kenneth A Gall

Jack C Griffis, Iii

Christopher M Yakacki

Heidi F Khalil

James Kurt Jacobus

Stephen Lee Laffoon

Douglas Pacaccio

Shane Adam Byler

Maureen Carroll

Jeffrey A Tyber

Kathryn Smith

Walter E Voit

David Lee Safranski

W Robert Taylor

Taylor H Ware

Diego Restrepo

Andrew Sharp

Dudley Finch

Annie E Macedo

Daiana Weiss

Kadija N McAnuff

Kenneth Dupont

Mary K Pitz

Kurt Jacobus

Heidi K Waldman

Jack C Griffs, Iii

Mark Harrold

A polymer is composed of a linear chain acrylate and a multi-functional acrylate cross-linker. The polymerized composition exhibits a transition at a temperature between about 34&#xb0; C. and about 50&#xb0; C. The polymerized composition exhibits shape memory effects. In one embodiment, the linear chain is tert-butyl acrylate and the crosslinker is polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The resultant shape memory polymers may be used in medical devices to provide devices with different shapes for pre and post implantation.

Shape memory polymer

Methods of manufacturing a three-dimensional, biodegradable, thermoset polymeric network composition having desirable degradation and mechanical properties, comprising a macromer component cross-linked with a monofunctional acrylate-containing component. The macromer component can comprise a diacrylate-containing component polymerized with an amine-containing component, wherein the molar ratio of the diacrylate-containing component to the amine-containing component is greater than or equal to 1.

Biodegradable polymeric networks and methods for manufacturing the same

Provided herein are shape memory polymer spinal cages including polymers with intended deployment at temperatures far below the onset of the glassy transition of the shape memory polymer. The described shape memory polymer spinal cages are adapted to be deployed by mechanical activation rather than thermal activation or activation by other stimuli. Thus, the shape memory polymers used herein are configured to have transition temperatures far above their temperatures of intended use, thereby requiring mechanical activation to recover stored strains.

Mechanically-activated shape memory polymer spinal cage

Soft tissue anchor

Intramedullary medical devices (e.g., intramedullary nails) and methods for their use and manufacture are described herein. The intramedullary medical devices described herein may provide sustained compressive forces across a bone fusion site despite bone resorption processes. Through various embodiments, the intramedullary medical devices described herein may provide non-linear force curves relative to displacement. Intramedullary medical devices are described with multiple elements made of different materials. Examples of intramedullary medical devices are described with shape memory alloys.

Intramedullary medical device and methods of use and manufacture

Suture anchor device

Methods and apparatus described herein may utilize activation of an SMP material to install medical devices with respect to a surgical site. Activation of the SMP material may be performed with the use of a triggering force and/or a constraint applied to the SMP material. Activation using a triggering force and/or a constraint may be used to create varied activation rates in an SMP material and may be combined with temperature or other activation stimuli to create the varied activation rates.

Method and apparatus for deploying a shape memory polymer

Disclosed herein are tunable shape memory polymers (SMP's) and methods for manufacturing the disclosed SMP's.

Shape memory polymers and process for preparing

Intramedullary medical device

Bone fracture fixation devices, systems and methods of use and manufacture are provided. One such bone fixation device includes an elongate element having a responsive zone. The element is adapted to be coupled to the bone so that the responsive zone is positioned adjacent a fracture or fusion site in the bone. The responsive zone is adapted to apply a desired pressure to the bone when coupled thereto. In some embodiments, the responsive zone comprises a shape memory material, which may be nickel titanium or Nitinol, to apply compressive pressure across the fracture or fusion site for longer periods of time than standard bone screws.

Osteosynthetic implants and methods of use and manufacture

The present invention provides bone fracture fixation devices, systems and methods of use and manufacture. One such bone fixation device includes an elongate element having a responsive zone. The element is adapted to be coupled to the bone so that the responsive zone is positioned adjacent a fracture site in the bone. The responsive zone is adapted to apply a desired pressure to the bone when coupled thereto. In some embodiments, the responsive zone comprises a shape memory material, which may be nickel titanium or Nitinol, to apply compressive pressure across the fracture site for longer periods of time than standard bone screws.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Kenneth A Gall