While over on the VivoKey bench we work on creating a real payment implant, Dangerous Things has been offering to convert micro payment cards (they look like an overgrown SIM card).
The overall size of this card, after conversion, is 17mm wide x 27mm long x 0.5mm thick… in other words, quite large. The incision required to place such a large implant is at least 18mm wide. If you wish to place such an implant, there are certain considerations you should take into account;
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Pick a place with as little tension as possible. This means a spot that isn’t going to invite the flexible yet still fairly rigid implant to create tension on tissue while it’s healing… particularly the edges nearest the incision site.
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Use sutures to close the incision. Using glue or other wound closures will not likely be strong enough or hold for long enough to achieve full closure.
Here’s an example of a placement which put the edge of the implant on a curved part of the hand, which adds tension. In addition to this, skin glue was used to close the incision site, which did not hold long enough for healing to complete. The implant eventually erupted from the wound, and had to be re-installed (successfully).
Because flex implants can be installed over bone (unlike x-series), the placement options are a bit more flexible (pun!), and for this installation, it might have been successful if sutures were used to close. Of course, choosing another location which reduces tension on tissue also helps;
Ultimately where to place your implant and how to install it are up to you and your professional installer to best decide. Just consider these points as you ponder placing your new upgrade.