1 Minute

January 06, 2026

Actively Regulated Degradable Implant System

Published by Udo Krause , IFW-Dresden (3 months, 1 week ago updated)

The patent discloses an implant system with actively regulatable degradation, designed to overcome the limitations of conventional biodegradable implants whose degradation rate is fixed after implantation.The invention combines:a metallic, biocompatible and biodegradable implant structure,a second metallic element with a different electrochemical potential,a mechanical contact element, andan integrated electronic circuit with a control unit.In the human or animal body, the implant structure and the metallic element form a galvanic cell using body fluid as electrolyte.By actively controlling the current density within this galvanic system, the degradation rate of the implant can be accelerated or inhibited after implantation.A key technical distinction from prior art is that the system:operates without a permanently implanted battery,can be wirelessly supplied with energy or control signals, andis designed so that all components are biocompatible and predominantly fully biodegradable.This enables post-implantation control of implant lifetime, matched to the individual healing process, without requiring a secondary surgical intervention.

The Challenge

Conventional biodegradable implants degrade at a fixed rate determined before implantation.
This does not account for:

  • individual healing times,

  • complications such as infection or immune response, or

  • changing clinical requirements after implantation.

Many existing electronic implant systems additionally rely on implanted batteries, requiring later removal.

 

The Patented Solution

A fully biodegradable implant system with actively controllable degradation, based on:

  • a galvanic cell formed in vivo,

  • an integrated microelectronic control circuit, and

  • wireless energy and signal transfer.

The degradation rate can be actively accelerated or inhibited after implantation, without implanted batteries and without secondary surgery.

 

Key Technical Value

  • Post-implantation control of implant lifetime

  • Wireless regulation of degradation

  • Energy-autonomous operation via galvanic reactions

  • Compact, fully biodegradable system architecture

  • Applicability to vascular, orthopedic, and microrobotic implants

 

Value for License Partners

  • Differentiation from passive biodegradable implants

  • Platform concept adaptable to multiple implant types

  • Reduced patient risk and procedural complexity

  • Strong IP position at the interface of implants and microelectronics

 

Options for Joint Development & Cooperation

  • Application-specific co-development
    Joint adaptation of the implant system to specific implant types (e.g. vascular support, bone fixation, microrobotic devices).

  • Technology integration partnerships
    Integration of the patented active degradation control concept into existing biodegradable implant platforms.

  • System-level development collaborations
    Co-development of fully integrated implant systems, combining biodegradable metals, electronics, and wireless control.

  • Licensing with development milestones
    Stepwise licensing linked to prototype development, validation, and clinical translation.

  • Exclusive or field-limited licensing
    Exclusive rights for defined medical indications or implant categories, based on the patent claims.

 

Licensing Options

  • Implant-system licensing

  • Application-specific licensing (e.g. stents, fixation, microrobots)

  • Co-development with medical device manufacturers

 

 

Target License Partners

  • Medical device manufacturers
    Companies developing biodegradable vascular, orthopedic, or temporary implants seeking post-implantation control of implant lifetime.

  • Implant system integrators
    OEMs integrating electronic or electrochemical functionality into implantable medical systems.

  • Specialized implant developers
    Organizations working on temporary implants, resorbable stents, bone fixation devices, or biomedical microrobots.

  • Microelectronics for medical applications providers
    Companies experienced in biocompatible and biodegradable electronic components and wireless energy transfer for implants.





SupraTix GmbH or partner companies - All rights reserved reserved.

Copyright © 2016 - 2026