Missouri S-and-T Working on Resorbable Implants
Medical devices made of bioactive glasses and metals that dissolve at the end of their operational lifespan could replace other types of implants and eliminate the need for invasive removal once they have served their purpose, say researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.
The Missouri S&T researchers recently received a patent for their implant.
The resorbable implants benefit patients, because they eliminate the need for additional surgery to remove a sensor or other functional device after it is no longer needed. This is especially important because biodegradable devices are designed to be implanted in the brain or other organs deep inside the body. The implants can also be used for drug delivery or tissue healing.