Importance

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Abstract

An orthopedic implant device that is adapted for providing a support structure in spine treatments and other bone treatments. In several embodiments, an exemplary implant body is capable of a first compacted shape and a second expanded shape. The implant is microfabricated of an open cell elastomeric shape memory polymer (SMP) composition. The implant has a first shape for deployment with the SMP in its temporary compacted shape. When deployed in an orthopedic space, the polymer monolith transforms to its memory shape to occupy the space. In several embodiments, the open cell implant body is then infused with an in-situ polymerizable composition to create a composite resilient, fiber-reinforced implant. In another embodiment, the implant body is in-filled with a bone-cement such as PMMA to fill a cavity in a bone, wherein the elastomeric open cell monolith deforms to provide a substantially fluid-impermeable surface around the bone cement.

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First Claim