Carbon based prosthetic devices

US5981827A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• David J. Devlin · Los Alamos, US
• David W. Carroll · Grantsburg, US
• John G. Cowie · Bethany, US
• Robert S. Barbero · Los Alamos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 12, 1997
• Grant date: Nov 9, 1999
• Expiry date: Nov 12, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C04B2111/00836
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A composite article is disclosed including a porous structural member formed of carbon fiber, the porous structural member containing a multiplicity of pores of dimensions greater than about 200 microns in diameter, the porous structural member further including carbon fill material within a portion of the pores such that the pores are essentially less than about 200 microns in diameter, the porous structural member including carbon fill material defining a composite carbon/carbon intermediate article including an outer surface and a thin coating of diamond-like carbon upon the outer surface of the composite carbon/carbon intermediate article. The composite article may serve as a prosthetic device for replacement joints, bone structures and the like.