US Patent 9364312 Biodegradable metallic medical implants

A medical implant includes a metal composite that contains a cellular nanomatrix having a metallic nanomatrix material and a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix, the medical implant being configured to disintegrate in response to contact with a fluid. A method for repairing tissue includes disposing an implant in a patient, the implant including a metal composite which contains: a cellular nanomatrix having a metallic nanomatrix material; and a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix; contacting tissue of the patient with the implant, the tissue being in need of repair; and non-operatively removing the implant to repair the tissue.