Implants
ILOs: Understand the basic principles of medical/pharmaceutical implants ➢ Describe the
role of pharmacists in managing patients with implants ➢ Discuss the ideal properties of an
implant and their advantages/disadvantages ➢ Describe the common types of medical
implants
What is an implant?
pharmaceutical device or tissue places inside or on the body
temporarily or permanently
many implants are prosthetics intended to replace missing body parts (structural)
whereas other deliver medication
support organs
monitor body functions (functional)
Role of Pharmacists in managing patients with implants
may need to prescribe one to a patient
especially those that deliver medication
may have adverse effects so you want to help the patient minimise risks
patient education
o adverse effects
o potential complications
o importance of regimen
Ideal properties of an implant
biocompatable: will create patient issues e.g. rejection
easy to sterilise: unable to put inside a patient
stable inside biological environment
o environment may be harsh
o we want them to stay for long periods
o don’t want their function to be compromised
o e.g. contraception implant for 3 years, if not stable patient won’t be
protected for pregnancy
controlled and sustained release
o applies to implants that deliver drugs
o patient doesn’t want a spike in drug delivery
good mechanical strength and flexibility
o may not be able to perform well without
o or won’t sit well in the body
easy to insert inside the body
Advantages of implants
patient compliance
o e.g. dementia patients who forget to take pills
o or contraceptive pikk must be taken same time each day, not applied for
implant
convenience
o minimal maintenance once implanted
long-lasting
o contraceptive implant can last 3 years
o structural hip replacements can last over 15 years
, reduced side effects
o not passing through GI
o doesn’t pass through the first pass metabolism
o not all drug will end up in blood
o implant can control the release of drug straight into the blood
outpatient treatment
o can leave once inserted
improved efficacy
o due to controlled and sustained released
o due to reduced side effects
o stabilised conc in the blood
Disadvantages of implants
specialist to insert
surgical
difficult to remove and need specialist
limited drug compatibility
o not all drugs can be given via implant
infection risk
adverse reaction
o immune response
o rejection
o even if the implant is biocompatible
o doesn’t mean its immunogenic
implant failure
How do we classify implants?
- Anatomy
- Purpose
- Function
- Material used
Functions of implants and give examples
bio stimulation
o bone grafts: promote bone growth and healing
o dental implants: replace missing tooth roots and support dental crowns
o cartilage repair: support cartilage regeneration in joints
drug delivery
o hormonal
o pain management
o insulin
neurostimulatory
o deep brain stimulation: treat neurological disorders e.g. Parkinsons by
stimulating specific brain regions
holes in the skull
insert electrodes
electrical impulse
target areas of the brain
o spinal cord stimulation: pain relief
o vagus nerve stimulation: epilepsy and depression
ILOs: Understand the basic principles of medical/pharmaceutical implants ➢ Describe the
role of pharmacists in managing patients with implants ➢ Discuss the ideal properties of an
implant and their advantages/disadvantages ➢ Describe the common types of medical
implants
What is an implant?
pharmaceutical device or tissue places inside or on the body
temporarily or permanently
many implants are prosthetics intended to replace missing body parts (structural)
whereas other deliver medication
support organs
monitor body functions (functional)
Role of Pharmacists in managing patients with implants
may need to prescribe one to a patient
especially those that deliver medication
may have adverse effects so you want to help the patient minimise risks
patient education
o adverse effects
o potential complications
o importance of regimen
Ideal properties of an implant
biocompatable: will create patient issues e.g. rejection
easy to sterilise: unable to put inside a patient
stable inside biological environment
o environment may be harsh
o we want them to stay for long periods
o don’t want their function to be compromised
o e.g. contraception implant for 3 years, if not stable patient won’t be
protected for pregnancy
controlled and sustained release
o applies to implants that deliver drugs
o patient doesn’t want a spike in drug delivery
good mechanical strength and flexibility
o may not be able to perform well without
o or won’t sit well in the body
easy to insert inside the body
Advantages of implants
patient compliance
o e.g. dementia patients who forget to take pills
o or contraceptive pikk must be taken same time each day, not applied for
implant
convenience
o minimal maintenance once implanted
long-lasting
o contraceptive implant can last 3 years
o structural hip replacements can last over 15 years
, reduced side effects
o not passing through GI
o doesn’t pass through the first pass metabolism
o not all drug will end up in blood
o implant can control the release of drug straight into the blood
outpatient treatment
o can leave once inserted
improved efficacy
o due to controlled and sustained released
o due to reduced side effects
o stabilised conc in the blood
Disadvantages of implants
specialist to insert
surgical
difficult to remove and need specialist
limited drug compatibility
o not all drugs can be given via implant
infection risk
adverse reaction
o immune response
o rejection
o even if the implant is biocompatible
o doesn’t mean its immunogenic
implant failure
How do we classify implants?
- Anatomy
- Purpose
- Function
- Material used
Functions of implants and give examples
bio stimulation
o bone grafts: promote bone growth and healing
o dental implants: replace missing tooth roots and support dental crowns
o cartilage repair: support cartilage regeneration in joints
drug delivery
o hormonal
o pain management
o insulin
neurostimulatory
o deep brain stimulation: treat neurological disorders e.g. Parkinsons by
stimulating specific brain regions
holes in the skull
insert electrodes
electrical impulse
target areas of the brain
o spinal cord stimulation: pain relief
o vagus nerve stimulation: epilepsy and depression
