Method of surface oxidizing zirconium and zirconium alloys and resulting product
First Claim
1. A hip prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising:
- (a) a prosthesis body for implantation into a femur comprising a head portion formed of zirconium or zirconium alloy having a single phase crystalline structure and uniform composition;
(b) a bearing surface on the head portion of the prosthesis body;
(c) an acetabular cup having an inner surface formed of an organic polymer or a polymer-based composite, said inner surface being adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface on the head portion; and
(d) a coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform thickness directly on the bearing surface of the head portion for reducing wear of the acetabular cup inner surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the use of a single phase crystalline material substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.
48 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A hip prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising:
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(a) a prosthesis body for implantation into a femur comprising a head portion formed of zirconium or zirconium alloy having a single phase crystalline structure and uniform composition; (b) a bearing surface on the head portion of the prosthesis body; (c) an acetabular cup having an inner surface formed of an organic polymer or a polymer-based composite, said inner surface being adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface on the head portion; and (d) a coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform thickness directly on the bearing surface of the head portion for reducing wear of the acetabular cup inner surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising:
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(a) a prosthesis body comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy, said zirconium or zirconium alloy having a single phase crystalline structure and uniform composition; (b) a blue-black or black oxidized zirconium coating of uniform thickness on at least a portion of said zirconium or zirconium alloy; and
,wherein the prosthesis body comprises a spinal implant.
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- 8. A non-articulating medical implant comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy, said zirconium or zirconium alloy having a partial or complete coat of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform thickness, said zirconium or zirconium alloy having a single phase crystalline structure and uniform composition.
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10. A knee prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising:
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(a) a femoral component comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy having a bearing surface comprising at least one condyle, said zirconium or zirconium alloy having a single phase crystalline structure and uniform composition; (b) a tibial component comprising an organic polymer or polymer based composite and adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface; and
,(c) a coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform thickness on at least a portion of said zirconium or zirconium alloy. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification