Ti, Al and Nb alloys

• US 20070084530A1
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Michigan State University (Michigan State University)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Michigan State University (Michigan State University)
• Inventors: Boehlert, Carl
• Granted Patent: US 7,682,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 148/670
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/06 Titanium or titanium alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/50 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 14/00 Alloys based on titanium
• CPC Class Codes: C22F 1/183 of titanium or alloys based thereon

Abstract

Ti(x %)Al(y %)Nb alloys as implants for biomedical implant apparatus, where x is between about 45 and 54% by atoms, y is between about 15 to 25% by atoms are described. The implants are useful for prosthesis implanted into the body of a human, or lower mammals and in various structures.

Claims

1. An implant prosthesis in finished form comprising a forged and machined alloy of Ti(x %)Al(y %)Nb, wherein x is between about 45 to 54% by atoms and wherein y is between about 15 to 25% by atoms and the balance is Nb, wherein the implant is able to withstand at least 10⁵ fatigue cycles at a stress of 400 MPa and has a surface finish which is biocompatible.

2. The implant prosthesis of claim 1 which is the alloy Ti-15Al-33Nb.

3. The implant prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the implant is the alloy Ti-21 Al -29Nb.

4. The implant prosthesis of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 which is biocompatible in mouse testing of implanted micron sized particles of the alloy.

5. A method for forming a finished implant prosthesis which comprises:

(a) providing an unforged alloy of Ti(x %)Al(y %)Nb wherein x is between about 45 to 54% by atoms, y is between about 15 to 25% by atoms and the balance is niobium;

(b) forging the alloy at an elevated temperature below a melting point of the alloy in a shape which is an implant preform; and

(c) machining the implant preform to provide a machined implant; and

(d) finishing the exposed surfaces of the implant so as to provide the exposed surfaces with a finish which provides biocompatibility, to thereby form the implant prosthesis.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the alloy is Ti-15Al-33Nb.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the alloy Ti-21Al-29Nb.

8. The method of any one of claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein the implant prosthesis is biocompatible in mouse testing of implanted micron sized particles of the alloy.

9. In a method for treating a patient by implanting an implant prosthesis with modification of a bone surface so as to accept the prosthesis, the improvement which comprises:

(a) implanting the implant prosthesis wherein the implant prosthesis comprises a forged and machined alloy of Ti(x %)Al(y %)Nb, wherein x is between about 45 to 54% by atoms and wherein y is between about 15 to 25% by atoms and the balance is Nb, wherein the implant is able to withstand at least 10⁵ fatigue cycles at a stress of 400 MPa and has a surface finish which is biocompatible.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the alloy is Ti-15Al33Nb.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the implant is the alloy Ti-21Al-29Nb.

12. An alloy consisting essentially of Ti-15Al-33Nb.

14. The alloy of claims 12 or 13 which has been forged and machined as an implant prosthesis.

13. An alloy consisting essentially of Ti-21Al-29Nb.