Zirconium oxide and nitride coated prothesis for reduced microfretting
US5152794A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S606/907
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloy coated with blue or blue-black zirconium oxide or zirconium nitride to provide low friction, highly wear resistant coatings especially useful in artificial joints, such as hip joints, knee joints, elbows, etc. The invention zirconium oxide or nitride coated prostheses are also useful to reduce microfretting wear in multi-component surgical implants subject to such wear. Further, the coatings provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prosthesis. Such protection can be extended by the use of oxidized or nitrided porous coatings of zirconium or zirconium alloy beads or wire mesh into which bone spicules may grow so that the prosthesis may be integrated into the living skeleton.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.