Method for microporous surface modification of implantable metallic medical articles
US6527938B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/12479
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process for creating surface microporosity on a titanium (or other metal) medical device includes creating a surface oxide layer on the device; placing the device, which is connected to a negative terminal of an electrical power supply, into a calcium chloride bath; connecting the positive terminal of the power supply to an anode immersed in or containing calcium chloride thereby forming an electrolytic cell; passing current through the cell; removing the device from the bath; and cooling and rinsing the device to remove any surface salt. If necessary, the device is etched to remove metal oxide which may have formed during the cooling process. The resulting device has a microporous surface structure. Alternatively, only a designated surface portion of a medical device is made microporous, either by applying a non-oxidizing mask, removing a portion of the oxide layer, or subtracting a portion of a microporous surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.