Pseudo-etching of diamond-like carbon coated instruments
US6547562B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C8/0089
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides a depth gauging system and a method for forming depth indicating bands on amorphous hard carbon coated dental tool bits and the like. The method uses a laser to process, treat or pseudo-etch selected surfaces of the coated tool bit. Advantageously, the laser pseudo-etching creates bands or indicia that substantially preserve or retain some or all of the desirable bulk properties of the hard carbon coating, for example, the corrosion resistance. Desirably, the bands provide visual differentiation during the preparation of an osteotomy in bone material which allows a surgeon to precisely control the depth of the osteotomy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.