Patent · US Expired

Porous metallic scaffold for tissue ingrowth

US7458991B2 · kind B2 · utility

53Cited by
55References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 8, 2002
Grant dateDec 2, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 11, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/12479
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention relates to implantable medical devices, particularly, to porous structures for such devices. In one aspect, the invention provides a porous metal scaffold comprising a porous metal network having pores defined by metal webs, the metal webs covered with at least one layer of metal particles bonded to the metal webs. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of forming porous scaffolds. In one such aspect, the method includes providing a polymer foam; forming a skin of biocompatible metal on the polymer foam by low temperature arc vapor deposition; and heating the polymer foam and the metal skin above the decomposition temperature of the polymer foam in an inert gas atmosphere; thereby the polymer foam decomposes producing a green metal foam. In yet other aspects, the invention provides methods of improving stability of porous scaffolds.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.