Endodontic files made using bulk metallic glasses

• US 20040072124A1
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Kaufman, Michael J., Sawyer, W. Gregory
• Application Number:
  US10/457,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20040072124A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/42 Files for root canals; Handgrips or guiding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/04 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/022 Metals or alloys

Abstract

A medical implant or device comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<a<85, 5<b<70 and 0<c<35, the alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

Claims

1. A medical implant or device comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<

a<

85, 5<

b<

70 and 0<

c<

35, said alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

2. A medical implant or device of claim 1 wherein said alloy has a composition represented by the formula, Zr₆₀Al₁₅Co_2.5Ni_7.5Cu₁₅.

3. A medical implant or device of claim 1 wherein said alloy has a composition represented by the formula, Zr₆₅Al₁₀Ni₁₀Cu₁₅.

4. A medical implant or device of claim 1, wherein the medical implant or device is an orthodontic, endodontic, or dental implant or device.

5. A medical device of claim 4, when the device is shaped as an endodontic instrument which is adapted for use in performing root canal therapy.

6. A medical device of claim 5, when the device is shaped as an endodontic file configured for root canal insertion.

7. A kit comprising a plurality of medical implants and/or devices of claim 1.

8. A kit comprising a plurality of medical implants and/or devices of claim 4.

9. A kit comprising a plurality of endodontic instruments according to claim 5.

10. A kit comprising a plurality of endodontic files according to claim 6.

11. A method of manufacturing a medical implant or device comprising:

(a) providing a precursor blank;

(b) forming the precursor blank into a medical implant or device that is sized for its intended use, the precursor blank comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy of claim 1.

12. A method according to claim 11 for manufacturing an orthodontic, endodontic or dental implant or device.

13. A method according to claim 12 for manufacturing an endodontic instrument which is adapted for use in performing root canal therapy.

14. A method according to claim 13 for manufacturing an endodontic file.

15. A method of manufacturing an endodontic file instrument comprising:

(a) providing a precursor blank having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) forming the precursor blank into a file that is sized for insertion into a root canal, and that is adapted for abrasive action in the root canal, the precursor blank comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy of claim 1.

16. Use of an implant or device according to claim 1.

17. Use of an implant or device according to claim 4.

18. Use of a device according to claim 5.

19. Use of a device according to claim 6.

20. Use of a kit according to claim 7.

21. Use of a kit according to claim 8.

22. Use of a kit according to claim 9.

23. Use of a kit according to claim 10.

24. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a medical implant or device wherein said packaging material comprises a label which indicates that said medical implant or device can be used for the use of claim 16, and wherein said medical implant or device comprises at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<

a<

85, 5<

b<

70 and 0<

c<

35, said alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

25. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a medical implant or device wherein said packaging material comprises a label which indicates that said medical implant or device can be used for the use of claim 17, and wherein said medical implant or device comprises at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<

a<

85, 5<

b<

70 and 0<

c<

35, said alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

26. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a medical device wherein said packaging material comprises a label which indicates that said medical device can be used for the use of claim 18, and wherein said medical implant or device comprises at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<

a<

85, 5<

b<

70 and 0<

c<

35, said alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

27. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a medical device wherein said packaging material comprises a label which indicates that said medical device can be used for the use of claim 19, and wherein said medical implant or device comprises at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<

a<

85, 5<

b<

70 and 0<

c<

35, said alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

28. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a kit wherein said packaging material comprises a label which indicates that said kit can be used for the use of claim 20, and wherein said kit comprises a plurality of medical implants and/or devices, said medical implants and/or devices comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<

a<

85, 5<

b<

70 and 0<

c<

35, said alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

29. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a kit wherein said packaging material comprises a label which indicates that said kit can be used for the use of claim 21, and wherein said kit comprises a plurality of medical implants and/or devices, said medical implants and/or devices comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<

a<

85, 5<

b<

70 and 0<

c<

35, said alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

30. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a kit wherein said packaging material comprises a label which indicates that said kit can be used for the use of claim 22, and wherein said kit comprises a plurality of medical implants and/or devices, said medical implants and/or devices comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula X_a M_b Al_c, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<

a<

85, 5<

b<

70 and 0<

c<

35, said alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.