Patent ID: 8167881

Claim:
A method for implanting an implantable device in a fractured bone of a mammal, the implantable device having an elongated shape and comprising a first thermo-chemically activated portion including a polymer having a glass transition temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius, wherein the first thermo-chemically activated portion is deformable at a first thermo-chemical state in which the temperature of the polymer is greater than the glass transition temperature, and wherein the first thermo-chemically activated portion is hard at a second thermo-chemical state in which the temperature of the polymer is lower than the glass transition temperature, the method comprising: transforming the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion from the second thermo-chemical state to the first thermo-chemical state; inserting the implantable device into the fractured bone of the mammal; and transforming the polymer of the first thermo-chemically activated portion from the first thermo-chemical state to the second thermo-chemical state to harden the first thermo-chemically activated portion to a relatively rigid configuration to provide reinforcement to the fractured bone sufficient to promote healing of the fractured bone.