Biocompatible low modulus titanium alloy for medical implants
First Claim
1. In a human body wherein orthopedic implants remain for a prolonged period of time and must maintain strength and flexibility while being subjected to sustained corrosive effects of body fluids resulting in release of toxic or potentially toxic ions into surrounding tissue, the improvement wherein the implant has the alloy composition comprising:
- from about 10 to about 20 wt. % niobium or from about 35 to about 50 wt. % niobium;
from about 13 to about 20 wt. % zirconium; and
the balance titanium;
said alloy composition excluding metal ions harmful to the human body and having a modulus of elasticity of less than 85 GPa.
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Abstract
A biocompatible titanium alloy with low elastic modulus containing titanium, about 10-20 wt. % or 35 to about 50 wt. % niobium and up to 20 wt. % zirconium useful for fabricating of orthopedic implants. This invention relates generally to high strength, biocompatible alloys suitable for use as a material for a medical prosthetic implant and, in particular, a titanium alloy which has a relatively low modulus of elasticity (e.g. closer to that of bone than other typically-used metal alloys) and does not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short term or long term potential adverse effect from a standpoint or biocompatibility.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. In a human body wherein orthopedic implants remain for a prolonged period of time and must maintain strength and flexibility while being subjected to sustained corrosive effects of body fluids resulting in release of toxic or potentially toxic ions into surrounding tissue, the improvement wherein the implant has the alloy composition comprising:
- from about 10 to about 20 wt. % niobium or from about 35 to about 50 wt. % niobium;
from about 13 to about 20 wt. % zirconium; and
the balance titanium;said alloy composition excluding metal ions harmful to the human body and having a modulus of elasticity of less than 85 GPa. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- from about 10 to about 20 wt. % niobium or from about 35 to about 50 wt. % niobium;
Specification