Method of surface oxidizing zirconium and zirconium alloys and resulting product
US7070623B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00634
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the use of a single phase crystalline material substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.