Devices suitable for implantation in a body of a host and systems and
methods for their manufacture are provided. The implantable devices
include a composite material formed at least from a matrix material and
hollow gas-filled beads. In preferred embodiments, the composite material
includes a polymeric matrix mixed with hollow air-filled glass beads,
which are mixed and cured to form at least a portion of the body of the
implantable device. Implantable devices including this composite material
have decreased weight and/or overall density as compared to implantable
devices without the beads incorporated therein, which is believed to
improve the acceptance and function of the implantable device in vivo.
Additionally, implantable devices concerned with transmitting and
receiving via RF are believed to achieve improved RF performance due to a
reduced dielectric constant provided by the incorporation of beads within
the composite material.