Subdermal implant

Abstract

A subdermal implant comprising a base body in which at least one functional element is integrated, characterized in that the base body (2) is made of elastic, biocompatible material, preferably silicone or PTFE, wherein the functional element is a light source connected to a power supply element, wherein the light source comprises OLEDs for producing images under the skin which can be activated as required and which are integrated in an OLED film, wherein a control module (5) is arranged in the base body (2) which is connected to the OLED film and which can be controlled externally via a wireless NFC interface (51), wherein the control module (5) comprises a storage unit (52) in which patterns (31) are stored which can be selected optionally via the NFC interface (51).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a subdermal implant comprising a base body in which at least one functional element is integrated.

[0002] Subdermal implants are increasingly finding their way into the now widespread field of body modification. These are typically inserts made of silicone or PTFE that are located entirely beneath the skin to alter the dermal structure. Functional implants are also known, for example, those containing a neodymium magnet, which are preferably, but not exclusively, placed in a finger. Furthermore, it is known to integrate small RFID chips into an implant and place them under the skin. These chips can store, for example, codes for unlocking NFC-enabled locks or passwords for decrypting a PC.

[0003] Furthermore, so-called transdermal implants are known. These are implants located under the skin's surface and feature a threaded rod that protrudes through the skin to the surface, onto which, for example, decorative attachments can be screwed. An advantage of such transdermal implants is that, depending on the occasion, striking or subtle decorative attachments can be worn, or they can be omitted entirely. However, a disadvantage of these transdermal implants is the increased risk of infection due to the implant component penetrating the skin. An LED tattoo with a chip applied to a silk film is described in the article "LED tattoo," published on September 30, 2019, URL: https: / / en.wikipedia.org / w / index.php?title=LED_tattoo. Subdermal implants are further described in the article "Subdermal Implants", publication date 08.12.2019, URL: https: / / www.body-modification.org.index.php?seite=subdermale".The structure and applications of OLEDs are described in the article "OLED", published on March 17, 2020, URL: https: / / en / wikipedia.org / w / index.php?title=OLED&oldid=946036412.

[0004] The invention aims to remedy this problem. The invention is based on the objective of providing a subdermal implant that enables a desired decorative appearance without the risk of infection associated with a transdermal implant. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a subdermal implant with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0005] The invention provides a subdermal implant that enables a desired decorative appearance without the risk of infection from components extending through the skin. Because the base body is made of elastic, biocompatible material, and the functional element is a light source connected to a power supply, backlighting of the relevant skin area is enabled by activating the light source.

[0006] The light source comprises OLEDs. This enables the creation of contours or images under the skin that can be activated as needed. OLEDs integrated into an OLED film are particularly suitable for this purpose. For example, a design resembling a tattoo is possible, which can be made visible by activating the light source. If the visibility of the "tattoo" is not desired, for example during working hours, it can be temporarily removed by deactivating the light source.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the power supply element comprises at least one microbattery. This enables the provision of the voltage required to operate the light source. Preferably, the microbattery is a thin-film battery, which is particularly preferably designed as an inorganic LiCoO2 battery. Such thin-film batteries offer high energy density and are sufficiently flexible for use in space-saving and deformable applications. Thin-film batteries can be realized with a width of less than 100 µm.

[0008] Alternatively, power can also be supplied by a biofuel cell. Here, energy is generated through the electrochemical conversion of the body's own blood glucose. A biofuel cell (also called a glucose fuel cell) operates on the principle of energy production by living cells. At the negative terminal, glucose is enzymatically oxidized, producing hydrogen, which is subsequently split into electrons and protons. The electrons flow through a conductor, past a load (in this case, the light source and the control unit), to the positive terminal, while the protons diffuse through a separator. At the positive terminal, the electrons and protons react with atmospheric oxygen to form water, aided by enzymes. Such biofuel cells are being developed, for example, at the Institute for Microsystems Engineering at the University of Freiburg.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the power supply element comprises at least one microcoil for inductively charging the at least one microbattery. This enables the microbattery to be charged without the need for elements that penetrate the skin.

[0010] The main body contains a control module connected to the light source, which can be controlled externally via a wireless interface. This allows for wireless modification of the subdermal implant's appearance. For example, it enables the selective activation of an image and / or the color change of image elements.

[0011] The wireless interface is an NFC interface. This allows, for example, the control of the implant's light source via a mobile app.

[0012] In this embodiment of the invention, the base body is essentially strip-shaped, in particular cuboid-shaped. This simplifies the insertion of the implant under the skin.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the base body has a thread or an eyelet on one side, preferably on two opposite sides, for the passage of a thread. This thread facilitates simple positioning of the implant under the skin.

[0014] Other embodiments and configurations of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is described in detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1. The schematic representation of a subdermal implant; Fig. 2 the schematic representation of an applicator with an implant arranged according to Fig. 1 in side view; Fig. 3 the schematic representation of the applicator from Fig. 2 in top view; Fig. 4 the schematic representation of the applicator from Fig. 2 in the subcutaneous tissue during an application process and Fig. 5 the schematic representation of an “activated” implanted implant in top view.

[0015] The implant 1 chosen as an exemplary embodiment is essentially cuboid in shape and comprises a base body 2 made of silicone, into which an OLED film 3 is inserted. The OLED film 3 is connected to a microbattery 4 and a control element 5, via which the OLED film 3 can be controlled. The control element 5 has a digital interface 51, which in this exemplary embodiment is configured as an NFC interface. The OLED film 3 can be controlled via the NFC interface 51, for example, using a mobile app. The control element 5 also includes a memory unit 52 in which a graphic to be displayed on the OLED film 3 is stored. In this exemplary embodiment, two patterns are stored in the memory unit 52, which can be selected via the NFC interface 51.The base body 2 also contains a microcoil 6, which is connected to the microbattery 4 and can be charged via this battery. At opposite ends of the base body 2, an eyelet 21 is arranged for attaching a thread 7, via which the implant 1 can be placed under the skin 9.

[0016] An applicator 8, such as that found, for example, in [reference to product information], can be used to implant the implant according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows the applicator 8 being essentially cuboid in shape. At one end, the applicator tapers in width, forming a blunt tip that is bent radially upwards at an angle of 45°. At its end opposite the tip 81, an eyelet 82 is provided in the applicator 8 for the passage of a thread 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the applicator 8 is made of stainless steel.

[0017] To place the implant 1 according to the invention under the skin, the applicator 8 is first inserted with its tip 81 into the subcutaneous tissue 91, displacing tissue and thus creating an implant pocket. The applicator 8 is then withdrawn from the skin 9 at a distance from the insertion site. The applicator 8 is subsequently withdrawn from the skin 9, with the implant 1 connected to it via a thread 7, which is guided through the eyelet 82 of the applicator 8 and the eyelet 21 of the base body 2 of the implant 1. As the applicator 8 is withdrawn from the skin 9, the implant 1 is drawn over the thread 7 into the implant pocket prepared by the applicator 8. At its end opposite the applicator 8, a further thread 7 is threaded through the second eyelet 21 of the base body 2, allowing the position of the implant 1 under the skin 9 to be adjusted.Once the implant 1 has reached its final position, the sutures 7 can be cut and pulled out of the loops 21 of the base body. Subsequently, the entry and exit points of the skin 9 can be closed with an adhesive.

[0018] In this exemplary embodiment, the implant 1, which is implanted under the skin, can be controlled via a smartphone (not shown). Therefore, the OLED film 3, which is powered by the microbattery 4, is controlled via the NFC interface 51 by means of the control element 5, thereby activating patterns 31 stored in the memory unit 52 in a desired color, as schematically shown in Fig. 5 shown. These patterns now appear to show through the skin 9, creating a temporary, peculiar, controllable ornamentation on the skin.

Claims

[1] Subdermal implant comprising a base body into which at least one functional element is integrated, characterized by , that the base body (2) is made of elastic, biocompatible material, preferably silicone or PTFE, wherein the functional element is a light source connected to a power supply element, wherein the light source comprises OLEDs for producing images under the skin which can be activated as required and which are integrated in an OLED film, wherein a control module (5) is arranged in the base body (2) which is connected to the OLED film and which can be controlled externally via a wireless NFC interface (51), wherein the control module (5) comprises a storage unit (52) in which patterns (31) are stored which can be selected optionally via the NFC interface (51). [2] Implant according to claim 1, characterized by , that the power supply element comprises at least one microbattery (4). [3] Implant according to claim 2, characterized by , that the power supply element comprises at least one microcoil (6) for inductively charging the at least one microbattery (4). [4] Implant according to any of the aforementioned claims, characterized by , that the basic body (2) is essentially strip-shaped, in particular cuboid-shaped. [5] Implant according to any of the aforementioned claims, characterized by , that the base body (2) has on one side, preferably on two opposite sides, a thread (7) or an eyelet (21) for the passage of a thread (7).

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