Bulk metallic glass medical instruments, implants, and methods of using same

• US 20030111142A1
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Douglas E. Parsell, Joseph A. Horton Jr
• Original Assignee: Douglas E. Parsell, Joseph A. Horton Jr
• Inventors: Horton, Joseph A. Jr., Parsell, Douglas E.
• Application Number:
  US10/256,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20030111142A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 148/561
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3211 Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/866 Material or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/026 Ceramic or ceramic-like structures, e.g. glasses
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/18 Materials at least partially X-ray or laser opaque
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 14/00 Alloys based on titanium
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 45/10 with molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, tantalum, titanium, or zirconium or Hf as the major constituent
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 9/00 Alloys based on copper

Abstract

MRI-compatible medical instruments and appliances are made using bulk metallic glass alloys. MRI-guided methods include the use of articles that include bulk metallic glass alloys.

Claims

1. A method of carrying out a medical procedure comprising the steps of:

a. providing an article selected from the group consisting of medical instruments and biomedical appliances, at least a portion of said article comprising a bulk metallic glass; and

b. using said article to carry out a medical procedure wherein an MRI image of at least part of said article is made.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said medical procedure is an orthopedic procedure.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said medical procedure is an endodontic procedure.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said medical procedure comprises an MRI-guided procedure.

5. A method of carrying out an MRI-guided procedure comprising the steps of:

a. providing an article, at least a portion of said article comprising a bulk metallic glass; and

b. using said article to carry out an MRI-guided procedure.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said MRI-guided procedure further comprises a medical procedure.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said MRI-guided procedure further comprises a non-medical procedure.