Dual composition coupler for modular medical implants
US5405394A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00892
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides an interpositional coupler for inserting between modules of a modular medical implant, wherein the modules are fabricated of compositions having different electrochemical potentials, to reduce or prevent the flow of a galvanic current and thereby reducing or preventing this contribution to corrosion of the prosthesis. The coupler may be of an insulative type comprising a zirconium/zirconium alloy core coated with blue-black zirconium oxide or nitride or any metal coated with amorphous diamond-like carbon. Alternatively, the coupler may be of a dual composition type with each of the compositions having essentially the same electrochemical potential as the module to which it couples.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.