In-situ oxidized textured surface for prosthetic devices

Abstract

A textured surface and oxidation layer coating on a metallic material is accomplished through the chemical and / or electrochemical etching of the surface to modify the surface texture and an in-situ oxidation procedure. The surface is useful for the fabrication of prosthetic devices, particularly medical implants, due to the corrosion and wear resistance imparted by the oxidation layer and the ability to enhance grafting of the implant onto bone imparted by the surface texture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 338,420, filed Dec. 6, 2001.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of orthopedic implants. Specifically, it is directed to orthopedic implants having texture-modified surfaces coated with a thin, dense, highly wear-resistant coating of diffusion hardened oxidation layer. Preferably, the texture modification is effected through chemical or electrochemical etching and the metallic implant comprises zirconium and the surface layer comprises oxidized zirconium. The surface coatings have an enhanced ability to promote bone in-growth. This invention also relates to methods for producing metallic orthopedic implants having texture-modified surfaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Orthopedic implant materials must combine high strength, corrosion resistance and tissue compatibility. The longevity of the imp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0034] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

Problems solved by technology

Metal ion release from the prosthesis is also related to the rate of wear of load bearing surfaces because the passive oxide film, which is formed on the surface, is constantly removed.

Furthermore, the presence of third-body wear (cement or bone debris) accelerates this process and microfretted metal particles increase friction.

A limitation to the wide application of zirconium in these areas is its relatively low resistance to abrasion and its tendency to gall.

The causes of implant failure are numerous.

It is believed that the failures are attributable to the body's rejection of bone cement.

It is also believed that rejection of bone cement is not the primary problem, but rather that bone cement is not a proper structural component for use as part of a joint implant because of its physical properties.

Cement has lower mechanical properties strength and fatigue strength properties than does metal or bone.

These comparative physical properties are thought to be the source of failure of hip and knee prostheses implanted using bone cement.

This decreased surface area significantly reduces the strength of the attachment of the implant to the bone and tissue, which is largely dependent upon the mechanical interaction of the implant and the tissue.

The other is frictional, wherein the tissue grows into intimate approximation with the surface and results in a relatively tight frictional fit.

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