Stainless steel alloy having lowered nickel-chromium toxicity and improved biocompatibility

• US 20030194343A1
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Craig, Charles Horace
• Granted Patent: US 7,445,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 420/35
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/022 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 38/002 containing In, Mg, or other elements not provided for in one single group C22C38/001 - C22C38/60
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 38/44 with molybdenum or tungsten
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 38/48 with niobium or tantalum

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards an austenitic, stainless steel series 300 alloy having improved biocompatible characteristics. The modified stainless steel alloy consists essentially of, in weight percent, about

CMnSiPS≦0.030≦2.00≦0.750≦0.023≦0.010CrMoNiFe“X”8.5-11.50.0-6.256.5-7.546.185-74.0005.0-10.0

whereby variable “x” could be comprised from a group consisting of Gold, Osmium, Palladium, Platinum, Rhenium, Tantalum, or Tungsten. The alloy provides a unique combination of strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, and other mechanical properties which also has improved biocompatible characteristics.

Claims

1. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel.

2. A steel alloy as recited in claim 1, wherein said alloy is used for fabricating intravascular stents.

3. A steel alloy as recited in claim 1, wherein said steel alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

4. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Gold replaces a portion of Iron.

5. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Gold replaces a portion of Molybdenum.

6. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Gold replaces a portion of both Iron and Molybdenum.

7. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Osmium replaces a portion of Iron.

8. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Osmium replaces a portion of Molybdenum.

9. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Osmium replaces a portion of both Iron and Molybdenum.

10. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Palladium replaces a portion of Iron.

11. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Palladium replaces a portion of Molybdenum.

12. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Palladium replaces a portion of both Iron and Molybdenum.

13. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Platinum replaces a portion of Iron.

14. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Platinum replaces a portion of Molybdenum.

15. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Platinum replaces a portion of both Iron and Molybdenum.

16. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Rhenium replaces a portion of Iron.

17. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Rhenium replaces a portion of Molybdenum.

18. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Rhenium replaces a portion of both Iron and Molybdenum.

19. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Tantalum replaces a portion of Iron.

20. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Tantalum replaces a portion of Molybdenum.

21. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Tantalum replaces a portion of both Iron and Molybdenum.

22. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Tungsten replaces a portion of Iron.

23. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Tungsten replaces a portion of Molybdenum.

24. A steel alloy as recited in claim 3, wherein a portion of Tungsten replaces a portion of both Iron and Molybdenum.

25. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

26. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

27. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

28. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

29. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

30. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

31. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

32. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

33. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

34. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

35. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

36. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

37. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

38. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about

39. A modified series 300 stainless steel alloy which provides improved biocompatible characteristics over standard 300 stainless steel, said alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, about