AMORPHOUS METAL ALLOY MEDICAL DEVICES

• US 20090030527A1
• Filed: 10/01/2008
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zuli Holdings, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Zuli Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: RICHTER, Kobi (Jacob)
• Granted Patent: US 7,955,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/23.720
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0076 multilayered, e.g. laminated structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/145 Coating
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/04 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/34 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/022 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/10 Scrim [e.g., open net or mesh, gauze, loose or open weave or knit, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/188 Metal or metal-coated fiber-containing scrim
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/654 Including a free metal or alloy constituent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/656 Preformed metallic film or foil or sheet [film or foil or sheet had structural integrity prior to association with the nonwoven fabric]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/657 Vapor, chemical, or spray deposited metal layer

Abstract

This invention provides a new class of medical devices and implants comprising amorphous metal alloys. The medical devices and implants may be temporary or permanent and may comprise other materials as well, such as polymers, ceramics, and conventional crystalline or polycrystalline metal alloys.

Specifically, this invention provides implantable surgical fabrics comprising amorphous metal alloys. The presence of amorphous metal alloys in these fabrics can serve a variety of purposes, including structurally reinforcing the surgical fabric and/or imparting to the fabric the ability to shield against harmful radiation. The fabric may be used inside or outside the body during medical procedures. Further, the implantable surgical fabrics may be woven or non-woven fabrics.

Claims

1. An implantable surgical fabric comprising at least one amorphous metal alloy.

2. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 1, wherein the surgical fabric comprises a non-woven polymeric sheet.

3. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 2, wherein the non-woven polymeric sheet comprises a fluoropolymer sheet.

4. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 2, wherein the non-woven polymeric sheet comprises a polyolefin sheet.

5. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 2, wherein the amorphous metal alloy component is bonded to the non-woven polymeric sheet.

6. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 5, wherein the amorphous metal alloy component is selected from the group consisting of a thread, mesh and foil.

7. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 1, wherein the surgical fabric is a woven fabric.

8. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 7, wherein the woven fabric comprises an amorphous metal alloy thread.

9. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 8 comprising a plurality of polymeric threads interwoven with the amorphous metal alloy thread.

10. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 9, wherein the amorphous metal alloy threads include a coating.

11. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 10, wherein the coating comprises a polymeric material.

12. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 11, wherein the polymeric material is a resorbable polymer.

13. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 12, wherein the resorbable polymer comprises an element selected from the group consisting of polyglycolides, polydioxanones, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactides, alginates, collagens, chitosans, polyalkylene oxalate, polyanhydrides, poly(glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate), polyesteramides, and polydepsipeptides.

14. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 13, wherein the coating comprises a healing promoter.

15. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 14, wherein the healing promoter is selected from the group consisting of thrombosis inhibitors, fibrinolytic agents, vasodilator substances, anti-inflammatory agents, cell proliferation inhibitors, inhibitors of matrix elaboration, and inhibitors of matrix expression.

16. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 10, wherein the coating comprises a polymeric material and a healing promoter.

17. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 1, wherein said amorphous metal alloy comprises an element selected from the group consisting of silicon, boron, and phosphorous.

18. The implantable surgical fabric according to claim 1, wherein said amorphous metal alloy is an iron-based alloy containing Fe, Cr, B, and P.