Artificial bone implants

US6183515A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Joel W. Barlow · Austin, US
• Goonhee Lee · Austin, US
• Richard H. Crawford · Austin, US
• Joseph J. Beaman · Austin, US
• Harris L. Marcus · Austin, US
• Richard J. Lagow · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 4, 1997
• Grant date: Feb 6, 2001
• Expiry date: Apr 4, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C04B2235/9615
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A process for making bone implants from calcium phosphate powders is disclosed. This process involves selectively fusing layers of calcium powders that have been coated or mixed with polymer binders. The calcium powder mixture may be formed into layers and the polymer fused with a laser. Complex three-dimensional geometrical shapes can be automatically replicated or modified using this approach.