Manufacturing orthopedic parts using supercritical fluid processing techniques
US6506213B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00293
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Orthopedic parts are manufactured using supercritical fluid processing techniques in which starting materials and a process medium are mixed in a reactor to form a supercritical fluid slurry. The starting materials include a source of calcium ions and a polymer matrix for the calcium ions. The process medium preferably is carbon dioxide which is supplied to the reactor in a supercritical state or which is heated and pressurized in the reactor to attain a supercritical state. A conduit connects the reactor to a mold that has a cavity of a desired shape for an orthopedic part. A flush valve interconnects the bottom of a reactor and the conduit. When the flush valve is opened, the slurry is directed through the conduit into the mold where solidification occurs very rapidly. The resultant product is a strong, porous structure that simulates autogenic
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.