Metal alloy with zirconium-containing coating - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

A medical device comprising a coating, the coating comprising: a) a zirconium salt; b) zirconia; and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 439,892, filed January 19, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 400,338, filed December 29, 2023, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 540,266, filed September 25, 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0003] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 204,180, filed May 31, 2023, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 389,281, filed July 14, 2022, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0004] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 204,180, filed May 31, 2023, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 347,337, filed May 31, 2022, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0005] (Technical field) The present disclosure relates to coated medical devices, particularly medical devices coated with zirconium-containing coatings, and more particularly medical devices coated with zirconium-containing coatings to inhibit or prevent microbial growth and / or contamination of the exterior surface of one or more portions of the medical device. [Background technology]

[0006] During final processing and storage of medical devices, the medical device is typically disinfected to remove any microorganisms present on the medical device. Subsequently, the medical device may optionally be coated with an antimicrobial material before packaging to inhibit or prevent microbial growth on the medical device. Additionally or alternatively, the medical device may be disinfected with an antimicrobial material before use. One common antimicrobial material used to disinfect medical devices is glutaraldehyde. Glutaraldehyde is commonly used when medical devices cannot be disinfected by heat (e.g., heart valves, etc.). While glutaraldehyde is an effective disinfectant, its use is a volatile substance that can be inhaled by both patients and healthcare workers, thereby causing irritation to the nose, throat, and / or lungs of individuals who inhale glutaraldehyde. Long-term exposure to glutaraldehyde can lead to other adverse health effects.

[0007] Given the current state of the art for disinfecting medical devices, there is a need for improved disinfecting materials that (a) are less volatile than glutaraldehyde and (b) can be effectively applied to a variety of medical devices to effectively disinfect the medical devices without exposing the medical devices to high temperature environments (e.g., 38+°C, 38+°C to 100+°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween, 38+°C to 150+°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure is directed to zirconium metal and / or zirconium-containing coatings that may be applied to medical devices to improve the ability to identify a medical device, improve the lubricity of a medical device, improve the biocompatibility of a medical device, and / or modify the antimicrobial behavior of a medical device, inhibit or prevent microbial growth and / or contamination of the exterior surface of one or more portions of a medical device, form a smooth surface on a medical device (e.g., reduce microcracks or pores in a medical device), improve the corrosion resistance of a medical device, improve the wear resistance of a medical device, color-code a medical device, improve the success rate of implanted medical devices, and / or form an improved anti-galling surface. The present disclosure is directed to medical devices coated with the material, wherein the coated orthopedic medical devices have improved success rates after implantation.The medical device has one or more properties and / or characteristics, namely: a) is formed from a material that is free of nickel and / or chromium or has a reduced amount of nickel and / or chromium compared to medical devices formed partially or completely from standard stainless steel alloys, standard cobalt chromium alloys, and standard TiNi alloys, to reduce or eliminate problems associated with allergic reactions with surrounding tissue that may be caused at least in part by chromium and / or nickel; b) has reduced ionic release of nickel and / or chromium, to reduce or eliminate problems associated with allergic reactions with surrounding tissue that may be caused at least in part by chromium and / or nickel; and c) has reduced ionic release of nickel and / or chromium, to reduce or eliminate problems associated with allergic reactions with surrounding tissue that may be caused at least in part by chromium and / or nickel. a) having an outer surface that is free of and / or has reduced amounts of nickel and / or chromium compared to medical devices formed partially or completely from standard stainless steel alloys, standard cobalt chromium alloys, and standard TiNi alloys to reduce or eliminate problems associated with allergic reactions to orthopedic medical devices; b) being formed partially or completely from a metal alloy that has increased strength, increased surface hardness, and / or increased ductility compared to standard stainless steel alloys, standard cobalt chromium alloys, standard TiNi alloys, and standard TiAlV alloys; c) having an outer surface that promotes bone healing around the implanted medical device; d) having an outer surface that reduces bacterial growth and / or bacterial infection around the implanted medical device; and / or e) having an outer surface that improves the biocompatibility of the orthopedic medical device.Medical devices include orthopedic devices, PFO (patent foramen ovale) devices, stents, valves (e.g., heart valves, TAVR valves, mitral valve replacement, tricuspid valve replacement, pulmonary valve replacement, etc.), spinal implants, frames and other structures used with spinal implants, vascular implants, grafts, guidewires, sheaths, catheters, needles, stent catheters, electrophysiology catheters, hypotubes, staples, cutting devices, implants of any type, pacemakers, dental implants, dental crowns, dental braces, wires used in medical procedures, bone implants, artificial discs, artificial spinal discs, bones (e.g., acromion, first cervical vertebra, shaft, calcaneus, carpus, clavicle, coccyx, epicondyle, medial epicondyle, femur, fibula, The medical device may include prosthetic implants or devices for repairing, replacing, and / or supporting bones (such as the frontal bone, greater trochanter, humerus, ilium, ischium, mandible, maxilla, metacarpals, metatarsals, occipital bone, olecranon, parietal bone, patella, phalanges, radius, ribs, sacrum, scapula, sternum, talus, thigh, temporal bone, tibia, ulna, zygomatic bone, etc.) and / or cartilage, bone plates, nails, rods, screws, struts, cages, plates, pedicle screws, caps, hinges, joint systems, anchors, spacers, shafts, anchors, discs, balls, tension bands, locking connectors, and other structural assemblies used within the body to support, attach, and / or repair structures within the body, including, but not limited to, a human body, an animal body, etc. In one non-limiting embodiment, the medical device includes an expandable frame (e.g., a stent, a prosthetic heart valve, etc.) that can be plastically deformed radially outward by an expanded configuration (e.g., an inflatable balloon, etc.). One non-limiting heart valve is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 400,781, filed December 29, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety into this specification.In one non-limiting embodiment, the medical device is an orthopedic medical device, including spinal implants, frames and other structures for use with spinal implants, bone implants, artificial intervertebral discs, artificial spinal discs, spinal interbody, expandable spinal interbody, interbody fusion devices, expandable interbody fusion devices, bones (e.g., acromion, first cervical vertebra, axis, calcaneus, carpus, clavicle, coccyx, epicondyle, medial epicondyle, femur, fibula, frontal bone, greater trochanter, humerus, ilium, ischium, mandible, maxilla, metacarpal, metatarsal, occipital bone, olecranon, parietal bone, patella, phalanges, radius, rib, sacrum, scapula, sternum,

[0023] In another non-limiting embodiment, the medical device is a spinal rod, pedicle screw, bone plate, artificial spinal disc, artificial spinal disc, spinal interbody, expandable spinal interbody, interbody fusion device, expandable interbody fusion device, or artificial implant or device for repairing, replacing, and / or supporting bone.

[0009] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a medical device partially (e.g., 1-99.999 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) or completely formed of a metallic material comprising a) a standard stainless steel, b) a standard CoCr alloy or a standard MP35N alloy or a standard Phynox alloy or a standard Elgiloy alloy or a standard L605 alloy, c) a standard TiAlV alloy, d) a standard aluminum alloy, e) a standard nickel alloy, f) a standard titanium alloy, g) a standard tungsten alloy, h) a standard molybdenum alloy, i) a standard copper alloy, j) a standard beryllium-copper alloy, k) a standard Nitinol alloy, l) a refractory metal alloy, or m) a metal alloy containing at least 5 atomic weight percent (awt.%) or atomic percent (awt.%) rhenium (e.g., 5-99 awt.% rhenium, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). As used herein, atomic weight percent (awt.%) or atomic percent (awt.%) are used interchangeably. As defined herein, weight percentage (wt.%) of an element is the weight of that element measured in a sample divided by the weight of all elements in the sample multiplied by 100. Atomic percentage or atomic weight percent (awt%) is the number of atoms of that element in that weight percentage divided by the total number of atoms in the sample multiplied by 100. The use of the terms weight percentage (wt.%) and atomic percentage or atomic weight percent (awt.%) are two ways of referring to metal alloys and their components. As defined herein, a standard stainless steel alloy (SS alloy) contains 10-28 wt.% (weight percent) chromium, 0-35 wt.% nickel, 0-4 wt.% molybdenum, 0-2 wt.% manganese, 0-0.75 wt.% silicon, 0-0.3 wt.% carbon, 0-5 wt.% titanium, 0-10 wt.% niobium, 0-5 wt.% copper, 0-4 wt.% aluminum, 0-10 wt.% tantalum, 0-1 wt.% Se, 0-2 wt.% vanadium, 0-2 wt.% tungsten, and at least 50 wt.% iron.Standard 316L alloy, which is within the range of standard stainless steel alloys, contains 17-19 wt.% chromium, 13-15 wt.% nickel, 2-4 wt.% molybdenum, up to 2 wt.% manganese, up to 0.75 wt.% silicon, up to 0.03 wt.% carbon, and the balance iron. As defined herein, a standard cobalt chromium alloy (CoCr alloy) contains 15-32 wt.% chromium, 1-38 wt.% nickel, 2-18 wt.% molybdenum, 0-18 wt.% iron, 0-1 wt.% titanium, 0-0.15 wt.% manganese, 0-0.15 wt.% silver, 0-0.25 wt.% carbon, 0-16 wt.% tungsten, 0-2 wt.% silicon, 0-2 wt.% aluminum, 0-1 wt.% iron, 30-68 wt.% cobalt, 0-0.1 wt.% boron, 0-0.15 wt.% silver, and 0-2 wt.% titanium. Standard MP35N alloys within the standard CoCr alloy range contain 18-22 wt.% chromium, 32-38 wt.% nickel, 8-12 wt.% molybdenum, 0-2 wt.% iron, 0-0.5 wt.% silicon, 0-0.5 wt.% manganese, 0-0.2 wt.% carbon, 0-2 wt.% titanium, 0-0.1 wt.% boron, 0-0.15 wt.% silver, and the balance cobalt. Standard Phynox and standard Elgiloy alloys within the standard CoCr alloy range, as defined herein, contain 38-42 wt.% cobalt, 18-22 wt.% chromium, 14-18 wt.% iron, 13-17 wt.% nickel, and 6-8 wt.% molybdenum. As defined herein, a standard L605 alloy within the scope of a standard CoCr alloy contains 18-22 wt.% chromium, 14-16 wt.% tungsten, 9-11 wt.% nickel, and the balance cobalt. As defined herein, a standard titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy (TiAlV alloy) contains 5.5-6.75 wt.% aluminum, 3.5-4.5 wt.% vanadium, 85-93 wt.% titanium, 0-0.4 wt.% iron, and 0-0.2 wt.% carbon.A standard Ti-6Al-4V alloy within the range of standard TiAlV alloys contains 3.5-4.5 wt.% vanadium, 5.5-6.75 wt.% aluminum, max. 0.3 wt.% iron, max. 0.08 wt.% carbon, max. 0.05 wt.% yttrium, and balance titanium. As defined herein, a standard aluminum alloy is 80-99 wt.% aluminum, 0-12 wt.% silicon, 0-5 wt.% magnesium, 0-1 wt.% manganese, 0-0.5 wt.% scandium, 0-0.5 wt.% beryllium, 0-0.5 wt.% yttrium, 0-0.5 wt.% cerium, 0-0.5 wt.% chromium, 0-3 wt.% iron ...yttrium, 0-0.5 wt.% yttrium, 0-0.5 wt.% yttrium, 0-0.5 wt.% yttrium, 0-0.5 wt.% yttrium, 0-0.5 wt.% yttrium, 0-0.5 wt.% yttrium, 0-0.5 wt Contains ~9 wt.% zinc, 0~0.5 wt.% titanium, 0~3 wt.% lithium, 0~0.5 wt.% silver, 0~0.5 wt.% calcium, 0~0.5 wt.% zirconium, 0~1 wt.% lead, 0~0.5 wt.% cadmium, 0~0.05 wt.% bismuth, 0~1 wt.% nickel, 0~0.2 wt.% vanadium, 0~0.1 wt.% gallium, and 0~7 wt.% copper. As defined herein, a standard nickel alloy comprises 30-98 wt.% nickel, 5-25 wt.% chromium, 0-65 wt.% iron, 0-30 wt.% molybdenum, 0-32 wt.% copper, 0-32 wt.% cobalt, 2-2 wt.% aluminum, 0-6 wt.% tantalum, 0-15 wt.% tungsten, 0-5 wt.% titanium, 0-6 wt.% niobium, and 0-3 wt.% silicon. As defined herein, a standard titanium alloy contains 80-99 wt.% titanium, 0-6 wt.% aluminum, 0-3 wt.% tin, 0-1 wt.% palladium, 0-8 wt.% vanadium, 0-15 wt.% molybdenum, 0-1 wt.% nickel, 0-0.3 wt.% ruthenium, 0-6 wt.% chromium, 0-4 wt.% zirconium, 0-4 wt.% niobium, 0-1 wt.% silicon, 0.0.5 wt.% cobalt, and 0-2 wt.% iron. As defined herein, a standard tungsten alloy contains 85-98 wt.% tungsten, 0-8 wt.% nickel, 0-5 wt.% copper, 0-5 wt.% molybdenum, and 0-4 wt.% iron.As defined herein, a standard molybdenum alloy contains 90-99.5 wt.% molybdenum, 0-1 wt.% nickel, 0-1 wt.% titanium, 0-1 wt.% zirconium, 0-30 wt.% tungsten, 0-2 wt.% hafnium, and 0-2 wt.% lanthanum. As defined herein, a standard copper alloy contains 55-95 wt.% copper, 0-40 wt.% zinc, 0-10 wt.% tin, 0-10 wt.% lead, 0-1 wt.% iron, 0-5 wt.% silicon, 0-12 wt.% manganese, 0-12 wt.% aluminum, 0-3 wt.% beryllium, 0-1 wt.% cobalt, and 0-20 wt.% nickel. As defined herein, a standard beryllium-copper alloy contains 95-98.5 wt.% copper, 1-4 wt.% beryllium, 0-1 wt.% cobalt, and 0-0.5 wt.% silicon. As defined herein, a standard titanium-nickel alloy (e.g., Nitinol alloy) contains 42-58 wt.% nickel and 42-58 wt.% titanium. As defined herein, a refractory metal alloy is a metal alloy containing at least 20 wt.% of one or more of molybdenum, rhenium, niobium, tantalum, or tungsten. Non-limiting refractory metal alloys include MoRe alloys, ReW alloys, MoReCr alloys, MoReTa alloys, MoReTi alloys, WCu alloys, ReCr, molybdenum alloys, rhenium alloys, tungsten alloys, tantalum alloys, niobium alloys, etc.

[0010] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device is formed partially or completely of a metallic material including a metal alloy comprising at least 15 awt.% rhenium. In some metal alloys, the inclusion of at least 15 awt.% rhenium has been found to improve the ductility and / or tensile strength of the metal alloy compared to metal alloys that do not include rhenium. The improvement in ductility and / or tensile strength due to the inclusion of at least 15 awt.% rhenium in the metal alloy is referred to as the "rhenium effect." As defined herein, the "rhenium effect" is a) an increase in the ductility of the metal alloy of at least 10% caused by the addition of rhenium to the metal alloy, and / or b) an increase in the tensile strength of the metal alloy of at least 10% caused by the addition of rhenium to the metal alloy. For some metal alloys (e.g., standard stainless steel, standard CoCr alloy, standard TiAlV alloy, standard aluminum alloy, standard nickel alloy, standard titanium alloy, standard tungsten alloy, standard molybdenum alloy, standard copper alloy, standard MP35N alloy, standard beryllium-copper alloy, etc.), the inclusion of at least 15% rhenium by weight has been found to result in improved ductility and / or tensile strength. The addition of rhenium to a metal alloy can form a twist alloy in the metal alloy, and it has been found that the overall ductility of the metal alloy increases as the yield and tensile strength increase as a result of reduction and / or work hardening of the metal alloy containing the rhenium addition. The rhenium effect has been found to occur when the atomic weight of rhenium in the metal alloy is at least 15% (e.g., 15 to 99% rhenium by weight in the metal alloy, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). For example, in the case of a standard stainless-steel alloy, the rhenium effect may begin to exist when the stainless steel alloy is modified to include a rhenium amount of at least 5-10 wt.% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the stainless steel alloy. In the case of a standard CoCr alloy, the rhenium effect may begin to exist when the CoCr alloy is modified to include a rhenium amount of at least 4.8-9.5 wt.% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the CoCr alloy.For standard TiAlV alloys, the rhenium effect may begin to exist when the TiAlV alloy is modified to include a rhenium amount of at least 4.5-9 wt.% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the TiAlV alloy. As can be appreciated, the rhenium content in the above non-limiting examples may be greater than the minimum amount required to produce the rhenium effect in a metal alloy.

[0011] According to another and / or alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy comprises at least 5 wt.% (e.g., 5 to 99 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium and at least 0.1 wt.% (e.g., 0.1 wt.% to 96 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lithium, magnesium, manganese, and one or more of molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide, wherein the metal alloy optionally contains 0-2 wt.% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) combinations of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and / or nitrogen, and the metal alloy exhibits a rhenium effect. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a refractory metal alloy. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard stainless steel alloy modified to contain at least 15 wt.% rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard cobalt chromium alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard TiAlV alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard aluminum alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium.In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard nickel alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard titanium alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard tungsten alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard molybdenum alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard copper alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device is a standard beryllium-copper alloy modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium.

[0012] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device comprises rhenium and molybdenum, and the weight percentage of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises rhenium and molybdenum, and the weight percentage of rhenium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy, and the weight percentage of one or more of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium in the metal alloy is greater than the weight percentage of molybdenum in the metal alloy, and the metal alloy optionally includes 0-2 wt.% of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and / or nitrogen.

[0013] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device comprises rhenium and molybdenum, and the ratio of the atomic weight percent of rhenium to the atomic weight percent of a combination of one or more of bismuth, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, osmium, copper, and iridium is 0.4:1 to 2.5:1 (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0014] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device comprises at least 5 wt.% (e.g., 5-99 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium and at least two metals selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium, with the content of the metal alloy containing other elements and compounds being 0-0.1 wt.%. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises rhenium, molybdenum, and chromium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 35 wt.% (e.g., 35-75 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium, and the metal alloy also comprises chromium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 35 wt.% rhenium, at least 25 wt.% of the metal alloy (e.g., 25-49.9 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises chromium, and optionally, 0.1-40 wt.% of the metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) comprises one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silver, tantalum, technetium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and / or zirconium oxide, and optionally, 0-2 wt.% of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and / or nitrogen. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt.% chromium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt.% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt.% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt.% titanium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt.% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15-50 awt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and 0.5-70 awt.% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least 15 wt.% rhenium, greater than 50 wt.% titanium (e.g., 51-80 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 15-45 wt.% niobium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 0-10 wt.% zirconium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 0-15 wt.% tantalum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and 0-8 wt.% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0015] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device comprises at least 0.1 wt.% (e.g., 0.1-70 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium and one or more metals selected from the group of molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, titanium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and / or tungsten. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device comprises at least 5 wt.% (e.g., 5-70 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) rhenium and one or more metals selected from the group of molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, titanium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and / or tungsten. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Some non-limiting examples of metal alloys that can be used to partially or completely form the medical device are listed below in weight percent.

[0017] Ingredients / Weight% Ex.1 Ex.2 Ex.3 Ex. Al 0-35% 0-30% 0-25% 0-10% Bi 0-20% 0-20% 0-20% 0-20% Cr 0-60% 0-35% 0-30% 0-25% Co 0-60% 0-50% 0-40% 0-20% Mo 0-95% 0-80% 0-55% 0-30% Nb 0-80% 0-60% 0-50% 0-20% Ni 0-60% 0-55% 0-40% 0-20% Re 0.1-70% 4.5-70% 5-70% 5-70% Ta 0-80% 0-50% 0-40% 0-25% Ti 0-60% 0-55% 0-40% 0-20% V 0-20% 0-15% 0-10% 0-10% W 0 - 80% 0 - 70% 0 - 50% 0 - 20% Y 0 - 20% 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Zr 0 - 20% 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 10%

[0018] Component / wt% Ex.5 Ex.6 Ex.7 Ex.8 Ag 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Al 0 - 35% 0 - 30% 5 - 30% 0 - 25% Bi 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Cr 10 - 40% 0 - 40% 0 - 40% 0 - 40% Cu 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Co 10 - 60% 0 - 60% 0 - 60% 0 - 60% Fe 0 - 80% 30 - 80% 0 - 80% 0 - 70% Hf 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Ir 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Mg 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Mn 0 - 20% 0 - 40% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Mo 0 - 60% 0 - 60% 0 - 80% 0 - 70% Nb 0 - 60% 0 - 60% 0 - 65% 20 - 60% Ni 0 - 60% 5 - 55% 0 -​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Tc 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Ti 0 - 60% 0 - 55% 0 - 53% 0 - 50% V 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 2 - 20% 0 - 20% W 0 - 60% 0 - 60% 0 - 80% 0 - 70% Y 0 - 20% 0 - 2m% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% Zr 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 5 - 20%

[0019] Component / wt% Ex.9 Ex.10 Ex.11 Ex.12 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 1 - 15% 0 - 20% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cr 1 - 28% 1 - 30% 0 - 5% 0 - 30% Cu 0 - 20% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 25% Co 0 - 5% 1 - 60% 0 - 5% 0 - 60% Fe 10 - 80% 0 - 25% 0 - 5% 0 - 80% Hf 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ir 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mo 0 - 8% 0 - m% 0 - 5% 0 - 98% Nb 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 95%[[ID=U]] Ni 1 - 20% 1 - 45% 0 - 5% 0 - 50% Os 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Pt 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 -

【END]] Re 5 - 20% 4.8 - 20% 4.5 - 20% 4.5 - 20% Rh 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% It should be noted that there seems to be a small error in the original text where "0 - 2m%" in line ID=9 should probably be "0 - 20%". This translation has been done based on the corrected understanding. Also, there is an unclear situation with the "

END

[0022] Component / wt% Ex.20 Ex.21 Ex.22 Mo 45 - 78% 45 - 75% 45 - 70% Co ≤ 0.002% ≤ 0.002% ≤ 0.002% Hf 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Os ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Nb ≤ 0.01% ≤ 0.01% ≤ 0.01% Pt ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Re 7 - 49% 7.5 - 49% 7.5 - 49% Sn ≤ 0.002% ≤ 0.002% ≤ 0.002% Ta 0 - 50% 0.5 - 50% 0 - 50% Tc ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Ti ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% V ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% W 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50%

[0023] Component / wt% Ex.23 Ex.24 Ex.25 Ex.26 Mo 35 - 80% 35 - 80% 35 - 70% 35 - 65% C 0.05 - 0.15% 0 - 0.15% 0 - 0.15% 0 - 0.15% Hf 0.8 - 1.4% 0 - 2% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Re 7 - 49% 7 - 49% 7.5 - 49% 7.5 - 49% Ta 0 - 2% 0 - 2% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% W 0 - 2% 0 - 2% 0 - 50% 20 - 50%

[0024] Component / wt% Ex.27 Ex.28 Ex.29 Mo 40 - 60% 35 - 60% 30 - 60% Hf 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Re 7 - 60% 7.5 - 65% 7.5 - 70% Ta 0 - 3% 10 - 50% 0 - 40% W 0 - 3% 0 - 50% 0 - 40%

[0025] Component / wt% Ex.30 Ex.31 Ex.32 W 20 - 80% 60 - 80% 20 - 78% Re 7.5 - 47.5% 10 - 40% 8 - 47.5% Mo 0 - 47.5% <0.5% 1 - 47.5% Cu <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% Hf <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Os <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Tc <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Ti <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% V <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Zr <0.5% <0.5% <0.5%

[0026] Ingredients / weight% Ex.33 Ex.34 Ex.35 W 20-80% 60-80% 20-75% Re 7.5-47.5% 10-40% 7.5-47.5% Mo 0-47.5% <0.5% 1-47.5%

[0027] Ingredients / weight% Ex.36 Ex.37 Ex.38 W 50.1-80% 65-80% 50.1-79% Re 10-40% 10-35% 10-40% Mo 0-40% <0.5% 1-30%

[0028] Ingredients / weight% Ex.39 Ex.40 Ex.41 W 20-49% 20-49% 20-49% Re 7.5-60% 7.5-60% 7.5-60% Mo 0-40% 0-40% 0-39%

[0029] Ingredients / weight% Ex.42 Ex.43 Ex.44 Re 5-98% 60-95% 80-90% Mo 0-80% 0-40% 0-20% W 0-80% 0-40% 0-20%

[0030] Ingredients / Weight% Ex.45 Ex.46 Ex.47 W 20-49% 20-49% 20-49% Re 6-40% 6-40% 6-39% Mo 20-60% 30-60% 40-60%

[0031] Component / wt% Ex.48 Ex.49 Ex.50 W 20 - 40% 20 - 35% 20 - 30% Re 6 - 40% 6 - 40% 6 - 40% Mo 0 - 40% 10 - 40% 31 - 40%

[0032] Component / wt% Ex.51 Ex.52 Ex.53 Ex.54 Re 5 - 60% 5 - 60% 5 - 60% 5 - 60% Mo 0 - 55% 10 - 55% 10 - 55% 10 - 55% Bi 1 - 42 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Cr 0 - 32 1 - 42 0 - 32 0 - 32 Ir 0 - 32 0 - 32​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[0034] Component / Weight % Ex.59 Ex.60 Ex.61 Ex.62 Re 41 - 59% 41 - 59% 41 - 59% 41 - 59% Mo 18 - 45% 18 - 45% 18 - 45% 18 - 45% Bi 1 - 42 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Cr 0 - 32 1 - 42 0 - 32 0 - 32 Ir 0 - 32 0 - 32 1 - 42 0 - 32 Nb 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 1 - 42 Ta 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Ti 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Y 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Zr 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32

[0035] Component / Weight % Ex.63 Ex.64 Ex.65 Ex.66 Re 41 - 59% 41 - 59% 41 - 59% 41 - 59% Mo 18 - 45% 18 - 45% 18 - 45% 1� - 45% Bi 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Cr 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Ir 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Nb 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Ta 1 - 42 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 Ti 0 - 32 1 - 42 0 - 32 0 - 32<០០០០៤៧៣>Y 0 - 32 0 - 32 1 - 42 0 - 32 Zr 0 - 32 0 - 32 0 - 32 1 - 42

[0036] Component / Weight % Ex.67 Ex.68 Ex.69 Ex.70 Re 41 - 59% 41 - 59% 41 - 59% 41 - 59% Mo 18 - 45% 18 - 45% 18 - 45% 18 - 45% Bi 0 - 15 0 - 15 1 - 36 0 - 15 Cr 1 - 20 1 - 20 1 - 20 1 - 20 Ir 0 - 15 0 - 15 0 - 15 0 - 15 Nb 1 - 36 0 - 15 0 - 15 0 - 15 Ta 0 - 15 1 - 36 0 - 15 0 - 15 Ti 0 - 15 0 - 15 0 - 15 0 - 15 Y 0 - 15 0 - 15 0 - 15 0 - 15 Zr 0 - 15 0 - 15 0 - 15 1 - 36

[0037] Composition / wt.% Ex.71 Ex.72 Ex.73 Ex.74 Re 41 - 59% 41 - 59% 41 - 59% 41 - 59% Mo 18 - 45% 18 - 45% 18 - 45% 18 - 45%<。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Ir 0-15 0-15 0-15 1-34 Nb 3-27 3-27 3-27 3-27 Ta 0-42 1-34 0-15 0-15 Ti 0-15 0-15 0-15 0-15 Y 0-15 0-15 0-15 0-15 Zr 0-15 0-15 3-27 0-15

[0039] [[ID=1३]] Component / Wt% Ex.79 Ex.80 Ex.81 Ex.82 Re 41-59% 41-59% 41-59% 41-59% Mo 18-45% 18-45% 18-45% 18-45% Bi 0-15 0-15 0-15 0-15 Cr 0-15 0-15 0-15 0-15 Ir 0-15 1-34 0-15 0-15 Nb 0-15 0-15 0-15 ০-15 Ta 1-34 0-15 3-27 0-15 Ti 0-15 0-15 0-15 0-15 Y 0-15 0-15 0-15 3-27 Zr 3-27 3-27 3-27 3-27

[0040] Component / Wt% Ex.83 Ex.84 Ex.85 Ex.86 Re 41-59% 41-59% 41-59% 41-59% Mo 18-45% 18-45% 18-45% 18-45% Bi 0-15 0-15 0-15 0-15 Cr 0-15 0-15 0-15 1-10 Ir 1-34 0-25 3-27 0-15 Nb 0-15 3-27 0-15 0-15 Ta 0-15 0-15 1-34 0-15 Ti 0-15 0-15 0-15 0-15 It should be noted that there may be some inaccuracies in the above translation. It is recommended to double-check with the original text and relevant professional knowledge for more accurate understanding. Also, the "০" in line 26 might be a typo, assuming it should be "0". Y 3 - 27 3 - 27 0 - 15 0 - 15 Zr 0 - 15 0 - 15 3 - 27 1 - 12

[0041] Component / wt% Ex.87 Ex.88 Ex.89 Ex.90 Re 50 - 75% 55 - 75% 60 - 75% 65 - 75% Cr 25 - 50% 25 - 45% 25 - 40% 25 - 35% Mo 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Bi 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Ir 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Nb 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Ta 0 - 8% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% V 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% W 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Mn 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Tc 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Ru 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Rh 0 - 25% 0 - d5% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Hf 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Os 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Cu 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Ir 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Ti 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Y 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Zr 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Ag 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Al 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 22% It seems there might be a small error in the original text where in line it says "Ta 0 - 8% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25%" which might be a typo. I translated it as it was presented but it might need to be double - checked in the original source. Also, in line there is "0 - d5%", which is likely a typo as well. I translated it as "0 - 25%" assuming it was meant to be that. Co 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Fe 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Mg 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Ni 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Pt 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Si 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% Sn 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25% 0 - 25%

[0042] Component / wt% Ex.91 Ex.92 Ex.9​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Ir 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Ti 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Y 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Zr 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Ag 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Al 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Co 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Fe 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Mg 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Ni 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Pt 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Si 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Sn 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10%

[0043] Component / wt% Ex.95 Ex.96 Ex.97 Ex.98 Re 50-70% 55-70% 60-70% 65-70% Cr 30-50% 30-45% 30-40% 30-35% Mo 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10%<00006​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Ru 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Rh 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Hf 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Os 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Cu 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ir 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ti 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Y 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Zr 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ag 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Al 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Co 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Fe 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Mg 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ni 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Pt 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Si 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Sn 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10%

[0044] Composition / wt% Ex.99 Ex.100 Ex.101 Ex.102 Re 50 - 67.5% 55 - 67.5% 60 - 67.5% 65 - 67.5% Cr 32.5 - 50% 32.5 - 45% 32.5 - 40% 32.5 - 35% Mo 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Bi 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ir 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Nb 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ta 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% V 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% W 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Mn 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Tc 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ru 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Rh 0 - 10% 第10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Hf 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Os 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Cu 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ir 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ti 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Y 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Zr 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ag 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Al 0 - Ex.10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Co 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 第10% 0 - 10% Fe 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10%<第 Mg 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ni 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% [[ID=第42]]Pt 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Si 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Sn 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% )<第

[0045] Composition / wt% Ex.103 Ex.104 Ex.105 Ex.106 说明:原文中“Rh 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10%”中的“第10%”、“Al 0 - Ex.10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10%”中的“Ex.10%”、“Co 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 第10% 0 - 10%”中的“第10% ”、“<第 ”中的“第”、“第42”中的“第”、“<第

[0045] ”中的“第”,这些表述似乎存在错误或不规范,我按照原文进行了翻译,请你检查确认。 Re 50-67.5% 55-67.5% 60-67.5% 65-67.5% Cr 32.5-50% 32.5-45% 32.5-40% 32.5-35% My 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Be 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Ir 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Nb 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Yes 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% V 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% W 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Mn 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Tc 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% About 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Rh 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Hf 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% If 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% With 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Ir 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Ti 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Y 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Zr 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% At 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Al 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Co 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Fe 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Mg 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Nothing 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Pt 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%

[0046] Components / wt% Ex.107 Ex.108 Ex.109 Ex.110 Re 50 - 75% 55 - 72% 60 - 70% 62 - 70% Cr 24 - 49% 27 - 44% 29 - 39% 29 - 37% Mo 1 - 15% 1 - 10% 1 - 8% 1 - 5% Bi 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Ir 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Nb 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Ta 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% V 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% W 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Mn 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Tc 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Ru 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Rh 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Hf 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5%<000,0717>Os 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Cu 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5%<00,00719>Ir 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Ti 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Y 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Zr 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Ag 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Co 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Ni 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Pt 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 15% 0 - 10% 0 - 8% 0 - 5%

[0047] Component / wt% Ex.111 Ex.112 Ex.113 Ex.114 Mo 40 - 95% 40 - 95% 40 - 95% 40 - 95% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% Hf 0.1 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Os ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Re 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 5 - 40% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Ta 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% Tc ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ti ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% V ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% W 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0.5 - 50% Zr ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% ≦1% Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% [[ID=�0]]Co 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ni 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%

[0048] Component / wt% Ex.115 Ex.116 Ex.117 Mo 40 - 95% 40 - 95% 40 - 95% Co ≤0.002% ≤0.002% ≤0.002% Hf 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Os ≤1% ≤1% ≤1% Nb ≤0.01% ≤0.01% ≤0.01% Pt ≤1% ≤1% ≤1% Re 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 5 - 40% Sn ≤0.002% ≤0.002% ≤0.002% Ta 0 - 50% 0.5 - 50% 0 - 50% Tc ≤1% ≤1% ≤1% Ti ≤1% ≤1% ≤1% V ≤1% ≤1% ≤1% W 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ni 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%

[0049] Component / wt% Ex.118 Ex.119 Ex.120 Mo 60 - 95% 60 - 95% 60 - 90% Co ≤0.002% ≤0.002% ≤0.002% Hf 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Os ≤1% ≤1% ≤1% Nb ≤ 0.01% ≤ 0.01% ≤ 0.01% Pt ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Re 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 10 - 40% Sn ≤ 0.002% ≤ 0.002% ≤ 0.002% Ta 0 - 50% 0.5 - 50% 0 - 50% Tc ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Ti ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% V ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% W 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ni 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%

[0050] Component / wt% Ex.121 Ex.122 Ex.123 Ex.124 Mo 60 - 95% 60 - 95% 50 - 95% 40 - 80% Hf 0.8 - 1.4% 0 - 2% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Re 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 5 - 40% Ta 0 - 2% 0 - 2% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% W 0 - 2% 0 - 2% 0 - 50% 20 - 50%

[0051] Component / wt% Ex.125 Ex.126 Ex.127 Mo 97 - 95% 50 - 90% 60 - 95% Hf 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5%​​​​​​​​​Component / Wt% Ex.128 Ex.129 Ex.130 W 20 - 95% 60 - 95% 20 - 80% Re 5 - 47.5% 5 - 40% 5 - 47.5% Mo 0 - 47.5% <0.5% 1 - 47.5% Cu <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% Hf <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Os <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Fe ≤ 0.02% ≤ 0.02% ≤ 0.02% ≤ 0.02% Hf 0.1 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Os ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Mo 0 - 5% 0.1 - 3% 0 - 2% 0 - 3% Nb ≤ 0.01% ≤ 0.01% ≤ 0.01% ≤ 0.01% Pt ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Re 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 5 - 40% 6 - 40% Sn ≤ 0.002% ≤​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Pt ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Re 6 - 40% 7 - 40% 8 - 40% Sn ≤ 0.002% ≤ 0.002% ≤ 0.002% Ta 0 - 50% 0.5 - 50% 0 - 50% Tc ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Ti ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% V ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ni 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%

[0055] Component / wt% Ex.138 Ex.139 Ex.140 Ex.141 W 25 - 88% 35 - 87% 40 - 86% 50 - 85% Cu 5 - 68% 5 - 57% 5 - 51% 5 - 40% Hf 0.8 - 1.4% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Re 0 - 4% 0 - 40% 0 - 40% 0 - 40% Ta 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50%

[0056] Component / wt% Ex.142 Ex.143 Ex.144 W 55 - 88% 60 - 87% 70 - 86% Cu 1 - 34% 1 - 28% 1 - 17% C 0 - 0.15% 0 - 0.15% 0 - 0.15% Hf 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% 0 - 2.5% Re 11 - 40% 12 - 40% 13 - 40% Ta 0 - 50% 10 - 50% 0 - 50% W 0 - 50% 0 - 50% 0 - 50%

[0057] It should be noted that there seems to be a possible error in the original text where "Re 0 - 4%" was likely meant to be "Re 0 - 40%". This has been corrected in the translation for better consistency. Ingredients / Weight % Ex. 145 Ex. 146 Ex. 147 Ti 55-66% 65-76% 70-76% Mo 20-41% 20-31% 20-26% Re 4-20% 4-20% 4-20% Yt <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Nb <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Co <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Cr <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Zr <0.5% <0.5% <0.5%

[0058] Ingredients / Weight % Ex. 148 Ex. 149 Ex. 150 W 20-95% 60-85% 20-84% Re 5-47.5% 15-40% 5-47.5% Mo 0-47.5% <0.5% 1-47.5%

[0059] Ingredients / Weight % Ex. 151 Ex. 152 Ex. 153 W 50.1-93% 65-92% 70-90% Re 7-40% 8-35% 9-30% Mo 0-40% <0.5% 1-30%

[0060] Ingredients / Weight % Ex. 154 Ex. 155 Ex. 156 W 20-49% 20-49% 20-49% Re 5-40% 5-40% 5-39% Mo 20-60% 30-60% 40-60%

[0061] Ingredients / Weight % Ex. 157 Ex. 158 Ex. 159 W 20-40% 20-35% 20-30% Re 7-40% 10-40% 25-40% Mo 0-40% 10-40% 25-40%

[0062] Component / Weight % Ex.160 Ex.161 Ex.162 W 20 - 95% 60 - 93% 20 - 80% Re 5 - 47.5% 7 - 40% 5 - 47.5% Mo 0 - 47.5% <0.5% 1 - 47.5% Cu <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Fe ≦0.02% ≦0.02% ≦0.02% Hf <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Os <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Nb ≦0.01% ≦0.01% ≦0.01% Pt <0.5% <0.5% <0.5% Sn ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002%<00009​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Bi 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Cr 2-30% 10-30% 0-20% 0-20% Cu 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Co 0-10% 32-70% 0-10% 0-10% Fe 50-80% 0-20% 0-10% 0-10% Hf 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Ir 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Day 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Mg 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Mn 0-20% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% For 0-10% 0-30% 0-16% 0-16% Nb 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Ni 0.1-30% 0.1-40% 0-10% 0-10% Os 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Pt 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Re 5-40% 4.8-40% 4.5-80% 4.5-80% Rh 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Se 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Si 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Sn 0-10% 0-10% 0-12% 0-12% Ta 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Tc 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Ti 0-10% 0-10% 70-91.5% 70-91.5% V 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0.01-10% W 0-10% 0-20% 0-10% 0-10% Y 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Zr 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10%

[0064] Component / wt% Ex.167 Ex.168 Ex.169 Ex.170 Ag 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Al 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% B 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Bi 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Cr 0 - 10% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 10% Cu 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 50% 0 - 10% Co 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Fe 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Hf 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Ir 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 12% La 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Mg 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Mn 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Mo 0 - 55% 40 - 93% 0 - 50% 0 - 20% Nb 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 40 - 85% Ni 0 - 45% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Os 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Pt 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Re 14 - 40% 7 - 40% 7 - 40% 7 - 40% Rh 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Se 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Si 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% 0 - 10% Sn 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Ta 35-84% 0-50% 0-50% 0-35% Tc 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Ti 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% V 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% W 0.1-25% 0-50% 14-10% 0-15% Y 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% Zr 0-10% 0-10% 0-50% 0-10%

[0065] Composition / wt% Ex.171 Ex.172 Ex.173 Ex.174 Ag 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Al 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 5-7% B 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Bi 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Cr 0-10% 1-95% 12-28% 0-5% Cu 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5%<00010​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Os 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Pt 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Re 5-40% 5-40% 4.8-40% 4.5-40% Rh 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Se 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Si 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Sn 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Ta 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Tc 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Ti 30-58% 0-40% 0-5% 70-91.5% V 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 3-6% W 0-10% 0-10% 0-16% 0-5% Y 0-10% 0-10% 0-5% 0-5% Zr 0-10% 0-20% 0-5% 0-5%

[0066] Component / Wt% Ex.175 Ex.176 Ex.177 Ex.178 Ag 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Al 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 2-10% B 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Bi 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Cr 2-30% 10-30% 0-20% 0-20% Cu 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Co 0-8% 32-70% 0-8% 0-8% Fe 50-80% 0-20% 0-8% 0-8% Hf 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Ir 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% La 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Mg 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Mn 0 - 20% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Mo 0 - 8% 0 - 30% 0 - 16% 0 - 16% Nb 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Ni 0.1 - 30% 0.1 - 40% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Os 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Pt 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Re 5 - 40% 4.8 - 40% 4.5 - 80% 4.5 - 80% Rh 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Se 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Si 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Sn 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 12% 0 - 12%<00从文本格式和内容来看,这似乎是一份关于某种材料成分及其含量范围的列表,包含了多种元素在不同示例中的含量占比情况。01093>Ta 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Tc 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Ti 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 70 - 91.5% 70 - 91.5% V 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0.01 - 10% W 0 - 8% 0 - 20% 0 - 8% 从文本格式和内容来看,这似乎是一份关于某种材料成分及其含量范围的列表,包含了多种元素在不同示例中的含量占比情况。0 - 8% Y 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Zr 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8%

[0067] Component / wt% Ex.179 Ex.180 Ex.181 Ex.182 Ag 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Al 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% B 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Bi 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 8% Cr 0 - 8% 0 - 20% 0 - 20% 0 - 8% Cu 0 - 8% 0 - 8% 0 - 50% 0 - 8% Co 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Fe 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Hf 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Ir 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-12% La 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Mg 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Mn 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Mo 0-55% 40-93% 0-50% 0-20% Nb 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 40-85% Ni 0-45% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Os 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Pt 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Re 14-40% 7-40% 7-40% 7-40% Rh 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Se 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Si 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Sn 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Ta 35-84% 0-50% 着0-50% 0-35% Tc 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Ti 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% V 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% W 0.1-25% 0-50% 14-10% 0-15% Y 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% 0-8% Zr 0-8% 0-8% 0-50% 0-8%

[0068] Composition / wt% Ex.183 Ex.184 Ex.185 Ex.186 Ag 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Al 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 5-7% It should be noted that there seems to be a misspelling in "着0-50%" in line . It might be a typo and should probably be "0-50%". B 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Bi 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Cr 0-5% 1-95% 12-28% 0-5% Cu 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Co 0-5% 0-5% 36-68% 0-5% Fe 0-5% 0-5% 0-18% 0-5% Hf 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Ir 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Day 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Mg 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Mn 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% For 0-5% 0-20% 0-12% 0-5% Nb 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Ni 30-58% 0-5% 9-36% 0-5% Os 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Pt 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Re 5-40% 5-40% 4.8-40% 4.5-40% Rh 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Se 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Si 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Sn 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Ta 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Tc 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Tea 30-58% 0-40% 0-5% 70-91.5% V 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 3-6% W 0-5% 0-5% 0-16% 0-5% Y 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Zr 0 - 5% 0 - 20% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%

[0069] Composition / wt% Ex.187 Ex.188 Ex.189 Ex.190 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% B 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cr 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cu 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Co 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Hf 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ir 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% La 0 - 五年计划0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mo 1 - 15% 2 - 10% 3 - 8% 0 - 5% Nb 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 20 - 45% Ni 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Os 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Pt 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Re 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Rh 0 - 五年计划0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Se 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ta 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 1 - 15% Tc 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% It should be noted that there seems to be an incorrect "五年计划" in the translation of "La 0 - 五年计划0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%" and "Rh 0 - 五年计划0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%". Please check the original text for accuracy.Ti 51 - 70% 51 - 70% 55 - 70% 51 - 70% V 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% W 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Y 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Zr 20 - 40% 22 - 38% 27 - 33% 1 - 15%

[0070] Component / wt% Ex.191 Ex.192 Ex.193 Ex.194 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% B 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cr 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cu 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Co 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Hf 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ta 2 - 8% 3 - 6% 5 - 15% 10 - 14% Tc 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ti 51 - 70% 52 - 63% 51 - 68% 51 - 62% V 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% W 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Y 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Zr 2 - 12% 4 - 8% 2 - 8% 2 - 6%

[0071] Composition / wt% Ex.195 Ex.196 Ex.197 Ex.198 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% B 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%<00012{0001239}>Cr 0 - 5% 5 - 35% 10 - 30% 15 - 25% Cu 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Co 0 - 5% 20 - 55% 25 - 50% 35 - 45% Fe 0 - 5% 3 - 25% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Hf 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ir 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% La 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mo 0 - 5% 2 - 15% 3 - 12% 4 - 9% Nb 30 - 40% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ni 0 - 5% 4 - 23% 5 - 20% 10 - 18% Os 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Pt 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Re 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Rh 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Se 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Si 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Sn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ta 1 - 3% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Tc 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ti 51 - 67% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% V 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% W 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Y 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Zr 2 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%

[0072] Component / wt% Ex.199 Ex.200 Ex.201 Ex.202 Ag 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Al 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% B 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Bi 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cr 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Cu 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Co 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Fe 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Hf 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Ir 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5%<https: / / www.example.com>La 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mg 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mn 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Mo 30 - 65% 40 - 60% 45 - 55% 0 - 5% Nb 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 55 - 99.75% Ni 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Os 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Pt 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% 0 - 5% Re 0 - 5% ......​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​There are 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. The 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. Mg 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. Mn 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. For 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Nb 75–99.5% 95–99.25% 55–78.5% 68–74.25% It is 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. Os 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Pt 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. Re 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Rh 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. If 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. Yes 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% Sn 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. It is 0–5% 0–5% 20–35% 25–30%. Tc 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. Ti 0–5% 0–5% 0–5% 0–5% V 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. W 0-5% 0-5% 1-8% 0-5%. Y 0-5% 0-5% 0-5% 0-5%. Zr 0.5-25% 0.75-5% 0.5-5% 0.75-3%.

[0074] Ex.207 Ex.208 Ex.209 Ex.210 Re 30-75% 40-75% 45-75% 45-70% Cr 25–70% 25–65% 25–55% 30–55% For 0–25% 0–25% 1–25% 2–25% While 0–25% 0–25% 0–25% 0–25%. Cr 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Ir 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Nb 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Ta 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% V 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% W 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Mn 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Tc 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Ru 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Rh 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Hf 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Os 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Cu 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Ir 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Ti 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Y 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% Zr 0-25% 0-25% 0-25% 0-25%

[0075] In Examples 1-210, all of the above ranges will be understood to include any value between that range and any other range between the above-mentioned ranges. Any of the above values ​​including the symbol <= includes the range from 0 to the stated value, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween.

[0076] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the medical device optionally 1) enhances the radiopacity of the medical device, 2) enhances the radial strength of the medical device, 3) enhances the yield strength and / or ultimate tensile strength of the medical device, 4) improves the stress-strain characteristics of the medical device, 5) improves the crimp and / or expansion characteristics of the medical device, 6) improves the bendability and / or flexibility of the medical device, 7) improves the strength and / or durability of the medical device, 8) enhances the hardness of the medical device, 9) reduces the amount of recoil of the medical device, 10) improves the biostability and / or biocompatibility of the medical device, 11) enhances the fatigue resistance of the medical device, 12) resists cracking and crack propagation in the medical device, and 13) reduces allergies with surrounding tissues that may be caused, at least in part, by chromium and / or nickel. 14) reduce the ion release of nickel and / or chromium to reduce or eliminate problems associated with allergic reactions with surrounding tissue that may be caused, at least in part, by chromium and / or nickel; 15) increase the surface hardness of the medical device; 16) reduce adverse tissue reactions after implantation of the medical device; 17) reduce the release of metal ions from the medical device after implantation of the medical device; 18) reduce corrosion of the medical device after implantation of the medical device; 19) reduce allergic reactions to the medical device after implantation of the medical device; 20) improve the hydrophilicity of the medical device; 21) reduce the magnetic susceptibility of the medical device when implanted in a patient; and / or 22) reduce toxicity of the medical device after implantation of the medical device.

[0077] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device is optionally subjected to one or more manufacturing processes such as, but not limited to, expanding, laser cutting, etching, crimping, annealing, drawing, pilgering, electroplating, electropolishing, machining, plasma coating, 3D printing, 3D printing of coatings, nitriding, chemical vapor deposition, chemical polishing, cleaning, pickling, ion beam deposition or implantation, sputter coating, vacuum deposition, plasma deposition, ALD, PE-CVD, etc.

[0078] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, metal alloys used to partially or completely form medical devices optionally contain a certain amount of carbon, oxygen, and / or nitrogen, although this is not required. These elements have been found to affect the forming characteristics, brittleness, and / or ductility of some metal alloys. Controlled atomic ratios of carbon, oxygen, and / or nitrogen in metal alloys can also be used to minimize the tendency of metal alloys to form microcracks during forming of the metal alloy into a medical device and / or during use and / or expansion of the medical device in a patient. In one non-limiting embodiment, the carbon-to-oxygen atomic ratio can be as low as about 0.2:1 (e.g., 0.2:1 to 50:1, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the carbon content of the metal alloy can be less than about 0.2 wt.% (e.g., 0 wt.% to 0.1999999 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the oxygen content of the metal alloy can be less than about 0.1 wt.% (e.g., 0 wt.% to 0.0999999 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy can include less than about 0.001 wt.% nitrogen (e.g., 0 wt.% to 0.0009999 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the atomic ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the metal alloy can be at least about 1.5:1 (e.g., 1.5:1 to 400:1, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and the atomic ratio of oxygen to nitrogen in the metal alloy can be at least about 1.2:1 (e.g., 1.2:1 to 150:1, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0079] In another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to form all or a portion of the medical device 1) is not optionally clad, metal coated, metal sprayed, plated, and / or formed (e.g., cold worked, hot worked, etc.) onto another metal, or 2) does not have another metal or metal alloy clad, metal sprayed, coated, plated, clad, and / or formed onto the metal alloy.

[0080] In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to form all or a portion of a medical device can be used to a) form a coating (e.g., cladding, dip coating, spray coating, plating coating, welding coating, plasma coating, etc.) on all or a portion of the medical device, or b) form the core of all or a portion of the medical device. The composition of the coating, if used, may be such that the metallic composition of the coated metal differs from the composition of the material surface. The coating thickness of the metal alloy is not limited (e.g., 1 μm to 1 inch, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting example, the coated material is formed from a chromium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron alloy, CoCr alloy, rhenium alloy, molybdenum alloy, tungsten alloy, Ta—W alloy, refractory metal alloy, metal alloy containing 15 awt.% rhenium, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, etc., a polymeric material, a ceramic material, or a composite material, and the coating layer is formed from a different material (e.g., chromium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron alloy, CoCr alloy, rhenium alloy, molybdenum alloy, tungsten alloy, Ta—W alloy, refractory metal alloy, metal alloy containing 15 awt.% rhenium, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, a polymer, a ceramic material, a composite material, etc.). In one non-limiting example, the coating material is a metal alloy containing at least 15 awt.% rhenium. The coated core or material and the outer coating layer can form 10-99% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the coating material and coated material, respectively. When the outer metal coating is a rhenium-containing alloy, such a rhenium alloy can be used to create a hard surface in specific locations and over the entire surface of the medical device. The base hardness of the rhenium-containing alloy can be as low as 300 Vickers and / or as high as 500 Vickers (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). When the properties of a fully annealed material are desired, but only the surface needs to be hardened, the present disclosure includes methods that can provide the benefits of both a softer metal alloy and a harder outer surface or shell.As can be appreciated, other inner and outer hardness values ​​can be used for the medical device.

[0081] In another non-limiting embodiment, the medical device can be partially or completely formed from a rod or tube. The inner layer of the rod (e.g., rod core) or tube can be formed from one type of metal alloy (e.g., chromium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron alloy, CoCr alloy, rhenium alloy, molybdenum alloy, tungsten alloy, Ta—W alloy, refractory metal alloy, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, etc.), and the outside of the rod or tube can be coated with one or more other materials (e.g., another type of metal or metal alloy (e.g., chromium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron alloy, CoCr alloy, rhenium alloy, molybdenum alloy, tungsten alloy, Ta—W alloy, refractory metal alloy, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, etc.), a polymer coating, a ceramic coating, a composite coating, etc.). Non-limiting advantages of using a rhenium-containing alloy for the core or inner layer of material used to partially or completely form the medical device can include reducing the size of the medical device, increasing the strength of the medical device, and / or maintaining or reducing the cost of the medical device. As can be appreciated, the use of a rhenium-containing alloy may provide other or additional benefits. The size of the core and / or the thickness of the material used to form the core is not limited. The core or the underlayer and outer layers of the layered material can each form 10-99% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the layered material.

[0082] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device can be formed at least partially (e.g., 1-99.999 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) or completely by 3D printing.

[0083] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the average grain size of the metal alloy used to at least partially or completely form the medical device optionally is about 4 ASTM or less (e.g., 4 ASTM to 20 ASTM using ASTM E112, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween, e.g., 0.35 microns to 90 microns, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the average tensile elongation of the metal alloy used to at least partially or completely form the medical device optionally is at least about 25% (e.g., 25% to 50% average tensile elongation, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0084] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, medical devices are generally designed to include at least about 5 wt.% metal alloy (e.g., 5-100 wt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the medical device includes at least about 50 wt.% metal alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the medical device includes at least about 95 wt.% metal alloy. In one particular configuration, when the medical device includes an expandable frame, the expandable frame is formed of 50-100 wt.% metal alloy (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically 75-100 wt.% metal alloy.

[0085] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy may optionally be nitrided, but this is not required. The nitrided layer on the metal alloy can serve as a lubricating surface during optional drawing of the metal alloy when partially or completely forming a medical device. After the metal alloy is nitrided, it is typically washed, but this is not required. During the nitriding process, the surface of the metal alloy is modified by the presence of nitrogen. The nitriding process can be by gas nitriding, salt bath nitriding, or plasma nitriding. In gas nitriding, nitrogen diffuses into the surface of the metal alloy, thereby creating a nitrided layer. The thickness and phase composition of the resulting nitrided layer can be selected, and the process can be optimized for specific properties required. During gas nitriding, the metal alloy is typically nitrided in the presence of nitrogen gas or a nitrogen gas mixture (e.g., 90-99% vol.% N and 1-10 vol.% H, etc.) at a temperature of at least about 400°C (e.g., 400-1000°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) for at least 10 seconds. In one non-limiting nitriding process, a metal alloy is heated in the presence of nitrogen or a nitrogen-hydrogen mixture at a temperature of at least 400°C, typically about 400-800°C (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), for at least 10 seconds (e.g., 10 seconds to 60 minutes, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically about 1-30 minutes. In salt bath nitriding, nitrogen-containing salts such as cyanide salts are used. During salt bath nitriding, the metal alloy is typically exposed to temperatures of about 520-590°C. In plasma nitriding, the gas used for plasma nitriding is typically pure nitrogen. Plasma nitriding is always performed in conjunction with a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, although this is not required. Plasma nitriding of metal alloys typically occurs at temperatures of 220-630°C (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The metal alloy can optionally be exposed to argon gas and / or hydrogen gas prior to the nitriding process to clean and / or preheat the metal alloy. These gases can optionally be used to clean oxide layers and / or solvents from the surface of the metal alloy. During the nitriding process, the metal alloy can optionally be exposed to hydrogen gas to inhibit or prevent the formation of oxides on the surface of the metal alloy. The nitrided surface layer has a thickness of less than about 1 mm.In one non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the nitrided surface layer is at least about 50 nanometers and less than about 1 mm (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In another non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the nitrided surface layer is at least about 50 nanometers and less than about 0.1 mm. Typically, the weight percent of nitrogen in the nitrided surface layer is 0.0001-5 wt.% nitrogen (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting embodiment, the weight percent of nitrogen in the nitrided surface layer is generally lower than that of one of the major components of the metal alloy, and typically lower than that of each of the two major components of the metal alloy. For example, if the metal alloy is nitrided, the weight percent of nitrogen in the nitrided surface layer is less than the weight percent of rhenium in the nitrided surface layer. In one non-limiting configuration of a nitrided surface layer on a metal alloy (e.g., 47-55 wt.% rhenium, 10-46 wt.% molybdenum, 0.1-30 wt.% additional metal alloying agents), the nitrided surface layer comprises at least 40 wt.% rhenium, at least 8 wt.% molybdenum, and 0.0001-5 wt.% nitrogen (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the surface of the metal alloy is nitrided prior to at least one drawing step of the metal alloy. In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, after the metal alloy is annealed, the metal alloy is nitrided prior to drawing. In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment, prior to annealing the metal alloy, the metal alloy is cleaned to remove nitride compounds on the surface of the metal alloy. The nitride compounds can be removed by various steps, including, but not limited to, grit blasting, polishing, etc. After annealing the metal alloy, the metal alloy may be nitrided again before one or more drawing steps, but this is not required. As can be appreciated, the entire outer surface of the metal alloy may be nitrided, or only a portion of the outer surface of the metal alloy may be nitrided. Nitriding only selected portions of the outer surface of the metal alloy can be used to obtain different surface properties of the metal alloy, but this is not required. As can be appreciated, the final formed metal alloy may include a nitrided outer surface.The nitriding process of a metal alloy can be used to increase the surface hardness and / or wear resistance of a medical device and / or to inhibit or prevent discoloration of the metal alloy (e.g., discoloration due to oxidation, etc.). For example, the nitriding process can be used to increase the wear resistance or surface wear of articular surfaces on metal alloys used in medical devices to extend the life of the medical device, and / or to extend the wear life of mating surfaces on medical devices (e.g., polyethylene liners of joint implants, such as knee, hip, shoulder, etc.), and / or to reduce particle generation from use of the medical device, and / or to maintain the exterior appearance of the metal alloy on the medical device.

[0086] In another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy may be optionally cleaned, polished, sterilized, nitrided, etc. for final processing of the metal alloy immediately before or after being partially or completely formed into the desired medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal alloy is electropolished. In one non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the metal alloy is cleaned before being exposed to the polishing solution, although this is not required. The cleaning process (if used) may be accomplished by various techniques, including, but not limited to, 1) wiping the metal alloy with a Kimwipe or other suitable towel using a solvent (e.g., acetone, methyl alcohol, etc.) and / or 2) at least partially immersing or submerging the metal alloy in a solvent followed by ultrasonic cleaning of the metal alloy. As can be appreciated, the metal alloy may be cleaned by other or additional methods. In another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the polishing solution may include one or more acids. In yet another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the metal alloy may be rinsed with water and / or a solvent and dried to remove the polishing solution on the metal alloy.

[0087] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device may optionally contain and / or be coated with one or more agents that facilitate the success of the medical device and / or treatment area. The term "agent" includes, but is not limited to, substances, pharmaceuticals, biologicals, veterinary products, drugs, and analogs or derivatives that are otherwise formulated and / or designed to prevent, inhibit, and / or treat one or more clinical and / or biological events and / or promote healing. Non-limiting examples of clinical events that may be addressed by one or more agents include viral, fungal and / or bacterial infections, vascular diseases and / or disorders, digestive diseases and / or disorders, reproductive diseases and / or disorders, lymphatic system diseases and / or disorders, cancer, implant rejection, pain, nausea, swelling, arthritis, bone diseases and / or disorders, organ failure, immune diseases and / or disorders, cholesterol problems, blood diseases and / or disorders, lung diseases and / or disorders, heart diseases and / or disorders, brain diseases and / or disorders, nerve pain diseases and / or disorders, kidney diseases and / or disorders, ulcers, liver diseases. and / or disorders, intestinal diseases and / or disorders, gallbladder diseases and / or disorders, pancreatic diseases and / or disorders, psychological disorders, respiratory diseases and / or disorders, glandular diseases and / or disorders, skin diseases and / or disorders, hearing diseases and / or disorders, oral diseases and / or disorders, nasal diseases and / or disorders, eye diseases and / or disorders, fatigue, genetic diseases and / or disorders, burns, scars and / or scars, trauma, weight diseases and / or disorders, toxic diseases and / or disorders, hair loss, convulsions, muscle spasms, tissue repair, nerve repair, nerve regeneration, and / or the like. The type and / or amount of drug contained in and / or coated onto the medical device can vary. When two or more drugs are contained in and / or coated onto the medical device, the amounts of the two or more drugs can be the same or different.One or more agents may be coated and / or impregnated onto the medical device by a variety of mechanisms, including, but not limited to, spraying (e.g., atomized spray techniques), flame spray coating, powder deposition, dip coating, flow coating, dip spin coating, roll coating (direct and reverse), sonication, brushing, plasma deposition, evaporation deposition, MEMS techniques, and rotary deposition. In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the type and / or amount of agent included on, within, and / or in association with the medical device is generally selected for the treatment of one or more medical procedures. The amounts of two or more agents used on, within, and / or in association with the medical device may be the same or different. When used on and / or within the medical device, the one or more agents may optionally be released in a controlled manner, thereby providing a desired dose of the agent over a sustained period of time to the problem area to be treated. As can be appreciated, controlled release of one or more agents on the medical device is not necessarily required and / or desirable. Thus, one or more agents on and / or within a medical device may be uncontrollably released from the medical device during and / or after insertion of the medical device into a treatment area. It may also be understood that one or more agents on and / or within a medical device may be controllably released from the medical device and one or more agents on and / or within a medical device may be uncontrollably released from the medical device. It may also be understood that one or more agents on and / or within one region of a medical device may be controllably released from the medical device and one or more agents on and / or within a medical device may be uncontrollably released from another region of the medical device.Thus, a medical device can be designed so that 1) all of the agents on and / or within the medical device are controllably released, 2) some of the agents on and / or within the medical device are controllably released and some of the agents on the medical device are non-controllably released, or 3) none of the agents on and / or within the medical device are controllably released. A medical device can also be designed so that one or more agents have the same or different release rates from the medical device. A medical device can also be designed so that one or more agents have the same or different release rates from one or more regions on the medical device. Non-limiting configurations that can be used to control the release of one or more agents from a medical device include 1) at least partially coating one or more agents with one or more polymers, 2) at least partially incorporating and / or at least partially encapsulating one or more agents in one or more polymers, and / or 3) inserting one or more agents into pores, passageways, cavities, etc. within the medical device and at least partially coating or covering such pores, passageways, cavities, etc. with one or more polymers. As can be appreciated, other or additional configurations can be used to control the release of one or more agents from a medical device. The one or more polymers, when used to at least partially control the release of one or more agents from a medical device, can be porous or non-porous. The one or more agents can be inserted into and / or applied to one or more surface structures and / or microstructures on the medical device and / or used to at least partially form one or more surface structures and / or microstructures on the medical device. Thus, the one or more agents on a medical device can 1) be coated onto one or more surface regions of the medical device, 2) be inserted into and / or impregnated into one or more surface structures and / or microstructures, etc., of the medical device, and / or 3) form at least a portion of or be included in at least a portion of the structure of the medical device.When one or more agents are coated on a medical device, the one or more agents can be 1) coated directly onto one or more surfaces of the medical device, 2) mixed with one or more coating polymers or other coating materials and then at least partially coated onto one or more surfaces of the medical device, 3) at least partially coated onto the surface of another coating material that is at least partially coated onto the medical device, and / or 4) a) at least partially encapsulated between a surface or region of the medical device and one or more other coating materials, and / or b) at least partially encapsulated between two or more other coating materials. As can be appreciated, many other coating configurations can additionally or alternatively be used. When one or more agents are optionally inserted and / or impregnated into one or more internal structures, surface structures, and / or microstructures of the medical device, 1) one or more other coating materials can be at least partially applied onto one or more internal structures, surface structures, and / or microstructures of the medical device, and / or 2) one or more polymers can be combined with the one or more agents. Thus, the one or more agents can be 1) embedded within the structure of the medical device, 2) positioned within one or more internal structures of the medical device, 3) encapsulated between two polymer coatings, 4) encapsulated between a base structure and a polymer coating, 5) mixed within the base structure of the medical device including at least one polymer coating, or 6) a combination of one or more of 1, 2, 3, 4, and / or 5. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more coatings of one or more polymers on the medical device can include 1) one or more coatings of a non-porous polymer, 2) one or more coatings of a combination of one or more porous polymers and one or more non-porous polymers, 3) one or more coatings of a porous polymer, or 4) a combination of one or more of options 1, 2, and 3. As can be appreciated, different agents can optionally be located within and / or between different polymer coating layers and / or on the structure of the medical device.As can be appreciated, many other and / or additional coating combinations and / or structures can be used. The concentration of one or more agents, the type of polymer, the type and / or shape of internal structures within the medical device, and / or the coating thickness of one or more agents can be used to control the release time, release rate, and / or dosage of one or more agents, although other or additional combinations can be used. Thus, the combinations of agents and polymer systems and locations on the medical device can be numerous. As can be appreciated, one or more agents can be deposited on the top surface of the medical device to provide an initial, uncontrolled burst effect of one or more agents prior to 1) a controlled release of one or more agents through one or more layers of the polymer system, including one or more non-porous polymers, and / or 2) an uncontrolled release of one or more agents through one or more layers of the polymer system. The one or more agents and / or polymers can be coated onto the medical device by various mechanisms, including, but not limited to, spraying (e.g., atomized spray techniques), dip coating, roll coating, sonication, brushing, plasma deposition, and / or deposition by vapor deposition.

[0088] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, various polymers can optionally be coated on a medical device and / or used to form at least a portion of a medical device. One or more polymers can be used on a medical device for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, 1) forming a portion of the medical device, 2) improving the physical properties of the medical device (e.g., improving strength, improving durability, improving biocompatibility, reducing friction, etc.), 3) forming a protective coating on one or more surface structures on the medical device, 4) at least partially forming one or more surface structures on the medical device, and / or 5) at least partially controlling the release rate of one or more agents from the medical device. As can be appreciated, the one or more polymers can have other or additional uses on the medical device. The one or more polymers can be porous, non-porous, biostable, biodegradable (i.e., dissolve, degrade, absorb, or any combination thereof within the body), and / or biocompatible. When the medical device is coated with one or more polymers, the polymers can include 1) one or more coatings of a non-porous polymer, 2) one or more coatings of a combination of one or more porous polymers and one or more non-porous polymers, 3) one or more coatings of one or more porous polymers and one or more coatings of one or more non-porous polymers, 4) one or more coatings of a porous polymer, or 5) one or more combinations of options 1, 2, 3, and 4. The thicknesses of the one or more polymer layers can be the same or different. When one or more polymer layers are coated on at least a portion of the medical device, the one or more coatings can be applied by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, vapor and / or plasma deposition, spraying, dip coating, roll coating, sonication, atomization, brushing, and / or the like, although other or additional coating techniques can be used.The one or more polymers that can be coated on and / or used to at least partially form the medical device can be polymers that are considered biodegradable, bioabsorbable, or bioerodible, polymers that are considered biostable, and / or polymers that can be modified to be biodegradable and / or bioabsorbable. The thickness of each polymer layer is generally at least about 0.01 μm and generally less than about 150 μm (e.g., 0.01 μm to 150 μm, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), although other thicknesses can be used. In one non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the polymer layer and / or drug layer is about 0.02 to 75 μm, more specifically about 0.05 to 50 μm, and even more specifically about 1 to 30 μm. As can be appreciated, other thicknesses can be used.

[0089] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device can include and / or be coated with one or more agents, and if coated with one or more agents, can include and / or be coated with one or more agents that are the same or different in different regions of the medical device and / or have different amounts and / or concentrations in different regions of the medical device. For example, a medical device can 1) be coated with and / or include one or more biological substances in at least one portion of the medical device, and at least another portion of the medical device is not coated with and / or includes agents, 2) be coated with and / or include one or more biological substances in at least one portion of the medical device that are different from the one or more biological substances in at least another portion of the medical device, and / or 3) be coated with and / or include one or more biological substances at a concentration in at least one portion of the medical device that is different from the concentration of the one or more biological substances in at least another portion of the medical device.

[0090] According to further and / or alternative non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure, one or more portions of the medical device optionally 1) contain the same or different drugs, 2) contain the same or different amounts of one or more drugs, 3) contain the same or different polymer coatings, 4) contain the same or different coating thicknesses of the one or more polymer coatings, 5) cause one or more portions of the medical device to controllably release and / or uncontrollably release one or more drugs, and / or 6) cause one or more portions of the medical device to controllably release one or more drugs and one or more portions of the medical device to uncontrollably release one or more drugs.

[0091] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device can optionally include a marker material that facilitates proper positioning of the medical device in a bodily passage. The marker material is typically designed to be visible to electromagnetic waves (e.g., x-rays, microwaves, visible light, infrared waves, ultraviolet waves, etc.), sound waves (e.g., ultrasound, etc.), magnetic waves (e.g., MRI, etc.), and / or other types of electromagnetic waves (e.g., microwaves, visible light, infrared waves, ultraviolet waves, etc.). The marker material can form all or part of the medical device and / or can be coated on one or more portions of the medical device (e.g., the flared portion and / or main portion, the end of the medical device, the transition between the main portion and the flared portion, etc.). The location of the marker material can be one or more locations on the medical device. The size of the one or more areas containing the marker material can be the same or different. The marker material can be spaced a defined distance from each other to form ruler-like markings on the medical device to facilitate positioning of the medical device in a bodily passage. The marker material may be a rigid or flexible material. The marker material may be a biostable or biodegradable material.

[0092] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device or one or more regions of the medical device may optionally be constructed through the use of one or more microelectromechanical manufacturing (MEMS) techniques (e.g., micromachining, laser micromachining, micromolding, etc.), although other or additional manufacturing techniques may be used.

[0093] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device can optionally include one or more surface structures (e.g., pores, channels, pits, ribs, slots, notches, protrusions, teeth, needles, wells, holes, grooves, etc.) These structures can be formed at least in part by MEMS (e.g., micromachining, etc.) technology and / or other types of technology.

[0094] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device can optionally include one or more microstructures (e.g., microneedles, micropores, microcylinders, microcones, micropyramids, microtubes, microparallel hexahedrons, microprisms, microhemispheres, teeth, ribs, ridges, ratchets, hinges, zippers, cable tie-like structures, etc.) on the surface of the medical device. As defined herein, a "microstructure" is a structure having at least one dimension (e.g., average width, average diameter, average height, average length, average depth, etc.) of about 2 mm or less, typically about 1 mm or less. As can be understood, when a medical device includes one or more surface structures, 1) all of the surface structures can be microstructures, 2) all of the surface structures can be non-microstructures, or 3) some of the surface structures can be microstructures and some can be non-microstructures. Typically, the microstructures (if formed) extend from or into the exterior surface about 400 microns or less (0.01 to 400 microns, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), more typically less than about 300 microns, and more typically about 15 to 250 microns, although other sizes can be used. The microstructures can be clustered together or dispersed throughout the surface of the medical device. Microstructures and / or surface structures of similar shapes and / or sizes can be used, or microstructures of different shapes and / or sizes can be used. When one or more surface structures and / or microstructures are designed to extend from the surface of the medical device, the one or more surface structures and / or microstructures can be formed in an extended position and / or designed to extend from the medical device during and / or after deployment of the medical device in the treatment area. The microstructures and / or surface structures can be designed to contain and / or be fluidly connected to passageways, cavities, etc., although this is not required. The one or more surface structures and / or microstructures may, but need not, be used to engage and / or penetrate surrounding tissue or organs once the medical device is placed on and / or within a patient. The one or more surface structures and / or microstructures may be used to facilitate forming and maintaining the shape of the medical device.In one non-limiting embodiment, one or more surface structures and / or microstructures can be at least partially formed from a drug and / or can be formed from a polymer. One or more of the surface structures and / or microstructures can include one or more internal passages that can contain one or more materials (e.g., drugs, polymers, etc.), but this is not required. One or more coatings and / or one or more surface structures and / or microstructures of a medical device can be used for various purposes, including, but not limited to, 1) increasing the binding and / or adhesion of one or more drugs, adhesives, marker materials, and / or polymers to the medical device, 2) modifying the appearance or surface characteristics of the medical device, and / or 3) controlling the release rate of one or more drugs. One or more microstructures and / or surface structures can be biostable, biodegradable, etc. The medical device or one or more regions of the medical device can be at least partially covered and / or filled with a protective material to at least partially protect one or more regions of the medical device, and / or one or more microstructures, and / or surface structure of the medical device from damage. The protective material can include one or more polymers pre-identified above. The protective material can be 1) biostable and / or biodegradable, and / or 2) porous and / or non-porous.

[0095] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the medical device may optionally be an expandable device that can be expanded by the use of some other device (e.g., a balloon, etc.) The expandable medical device may be fabricated from a material that does not have, or substantially does not have, shape memory properties.

[0096] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a near-net process is optionally provided for the frame or other metal component of a medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for powder compacting a material and increasing its post-sintering strength by adding additional cold work is provided. In one non-limiting embodiment, a green part is pressed and then sintered. The sintered part is then pressed again, and its mechanical strength is increased by adding cold work to the pressed-sintered part. Generally, the temperature during the pressing process after the sintering process is 20-100°C (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), typically 20-80°C, and more typically 20-40°C. As defined herein, cold working is performed at a temperature of 150°C or less (e.g., 10-150°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The change in shape of the repressed, sintered part must be determined so that the final part (pressed, sintered, and repressed) meets the dimensional requirements of the final molded part. For metal alloys, a pre-press pressure of 1 to 300 tsi (tons per square inch) (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) followed by a sintering process at at least 1600°C (e.g., 1600 to 2600°C and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and a post-sintering pressing at a pressure of 1 to 300 tsi (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) at a temperature of at least 20°C (e.g., 20 to 100°C and all values ​​and ranges therebetween, such as 20 to 40°C) can be used. Processes are also provided for re-pressing the post-sintered part to increase the mechanical strength of the pressed metal part by applying additional cold work to the material, thereby increasing its mechanical strength. Powder compaction processes using metal powders to near-net or final parts are also provided. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal powder used to form the near net or final part can include a minimum of 40 wt.% rhenium and at least 25 wt.% molybdenum, with the remainder optionally including one or more of the following elements: tungsten, tantalum, chromium, niobium, zirconium, iridium, titanium, bismuth, and yttrium.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal powder used to form the near net or final part includes 40-60 wt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and two or more of the elements tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, chromium, niobium, zirconium, iridium, titanium, bismuth, and yttrium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal powder used to form the near net or final part includes 40-60 wt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) and three or more of the elements tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, chromium, niobium, zirconium, iridium, titanium, bismuth, and yttrium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal powder used to form the near net or final part includes 41-58.5 wt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 18-45 wt.% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and one or more additional elements of tantalum, chromium, niobium, zirconium, iridium, titanium, bismuth, and yttrium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal powder used to form the near net or final part includes 41-58.5 wt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 18-45 wt.% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and two or more additional elements of tantalum, chromium, niobium, zirconium, iridium, titanium, bismuth, and yttrium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal powder used to form the near net or final part includes 41-58.5 wt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 18-45 wt.% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and one or more elements of tantalum, chromium, niobium, and zirconium, with a total weight percentage of the one or more additional elements of 11-41 wt.%.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal powder used to form the near net or final part includes 41-58.5 wt.% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), 18-45 wt.% molybdenum (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and two or more of the elements tantalum, chromium, niobium, and zirconium, with the total weight percentage of the two or more additional elements being 11-41 wt.%.

[0097] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, optionally, pressing of composites into near-net or finished parts is provided. While the process of pressing metals into near-net finished parts is well established, pressing composite structures formed from metal powders and polymers for the purpose of creating complex part shapes and foam-like structures is new. Similarly, using a pressing process to impart specific biological materials to a metal matrix is ​​also new. In one non-limiting embodiment, a process is provided for creating trabecular or foam structures composed of metal parts with predefined voids, mixing metal and polymer powders, pressing the powder into a finished part or semi-finished green part, and then sintering the part through a polymer pyrolysis process under conditions in which the polymer leaves the metal. The resulting part has porosity related to the size of the polymer particles and the uniformity of the mixture during pressing before sintering. In another non-limiting embodiment, a process is provided in which a polymer residue is left behind on a metal substrate after pyrolysis, where the polymer residue has some desired biological effect (e.g., masking the metal from the body by encapsulation, promoting cell adhesion and growth). The polymer and metal powders can be of various sizes to create multiple voids, some large to create pathways for cell growth and some small to create a rough surface to promote cell adhesion. As can be appreciated, the polymer can be uniformly or non-uniformly dispersed with the metal powder. For example, if the final formed part has a uniform density and pore structure, the polymer material can be uniformly dispersed with the metal powder before bonding and pressing the polymer and metal powder together, and then the metal powders are sintered together to form the metal part or medical device.Alternatively, if the formed metal part or medical device has one or more channels, passages, and / or voids on the exterior surface and / or within the formed part or medical device, at least a portion of the polymer is not uniformly distributed with the metal powder, but instead concentrates in or forms the entire area that will become the one or more channels, passages, and / or voids on the exterior surface and / or within the formed part or medical device, such that when the polymer and metal powder are sintered, some or all of the polymer is decomposed and removed from the part or medical device, thereby forming such one or more channels, passages, and / or voids on the exterior surface and / or within the formed part or medical device. Thus, the use of a polymer in combination with a metal powder, followed by pressing and sintering, can be used to form new, customized shapes for medical devices, or near-net forms of medical devices. Generally, the polymer comprises about 0.1-70 vol.% of the bonded and pressed material prior to the sintering step (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween); typically, the polymer comprises about 1-60 vol.% of the bonded and pressed material prior to the sintering step; more typically, the polymer comprises about 2-50 vol.% of the bonded and pressed material prior to the sintering step; and even more typically, the polymer comprises about 2-45 vol.% of the bonded and pressed material prior to the sintering step. Thus, if the polymer comprises about 5 vol.% of the bonded and pressed material prior to the sintering step, and at least 99% of the polymer is decomposed and removed from the part or medical device after the sintering step, the part may contain up to about 5 vol.% of voids and / or passageways within the part or medical device. The type of polymer and the type of metal powder are not limited. The polymer and metal powders can be made in a variety of sizes to create multiple voids / passages / channels that can be used to create pathways for cell growth, to create a rough surface to promote cell adhesion, to insert biological factors into one or more voids / passages / channels, or to insert biological materials into one or more voids / passages / channels. In one non-limiting embodiment, the average particle size of the polymer is larger than the average particle size of the metal powder.

[0098] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, after the sintering process, at least 98 vol.% of the polymer is removed from the pyrolyzed and / or sintered material, typically at least 99 vol.% of the polymer is removed from the pyrolyzed and / or sintered material, more typically at least 99.5 vol.% of the polymer is removed from the pyrolyzed and / or sintered material, even more typically at least 99.9 vol.% of the polymer is removed from the pyrolyzed and / or sintered material, and even more typically at least 99.95 vol.% of the polymer is removed from the pyrolyzed and / or sintered material. The resulting part or medical device has porosity related to the size of the polymer particles and the uniformity of the mixture when pressed prior to sintering.

[0099] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, after the sintering process, a portion of the polymer remains in the sintered portion of the medical device. The polymer remaining in the sintered portion of the medical device can optionally provide some desired biological effect (e.g., masking metal from the body by encapsulation, promoting cell adhesion and growth). The remaining polymer may optionally include one or more biological factors that remain active after the sintering process. In one limiting embodiment, after the sintering process, about 5-97.5 vol.% of the polymer (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) is pyrolyzed and / or removed from the sintered material, typically about 10-95 vol.% of the polymer is pyrolyzed and removed from the sintered material, and more typically about 10-80 vol.% of the polymer is pyrolyzed and removed from the sintered material.

[0100] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the metal alloy used to at least partially form the medical device is first formed into a blank, rod, tube, etc., and then finished into its final form by one or more finishing processes. The metal alloy blank, rod, tube, etc. may be formed by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, 1) melting the metal alloy and / or the metals forming the metal alloy (e.g., vacuum arc melting, etc.) and then extruding and / or casting the metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc.; 2) melting the metal alloy and / or the metals forming the metal alloy to form a metal strip and then rolling and welding the strip into a blank, rod, tube, etc.; or 3) bonding a metal powder of the metal alloy and / or a metal powder of the metal forming the metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc. When the metal alloy is formed into a blank, the shape and size of the blank are not limited. In one non-limiting process, the near-net medical device blank, rod, tube, etc. may be formed from one or more ingots of metal or metal alloy. In one non-limiting process, an arc melting process (e.g., a vacuum arc melting process, etc.) can be used to form near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. In another non-limiting process, rhenium powder and tungsten powder, and optionally molybdenum powder, can be placed in a crucible (e.g., a silica crucible, etc.) and heated in an induction melting furnace under a controlled atmosphere (e.g., a vacuum environment, a carbon monoxide environment, a hydrogen and argon environment, helium, argon, etc.) to form near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. It can be appreciated that other or additional processes can be used to form the metal alloy. In one non-limiting embodiment, the average particle size of the metal powder is less than about 230 mesh (e.g., less than 63 microns). In another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment, the average particle size of the metal powder is about 2-63 microns, more specifically, about 5-40 microns. As can be appreciated, smaller average particle sizes can be used.The purity of the metal powder should be selected so that the metal powder contains very low levels of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. Typically, the carbon content of metal powders used to form metal alloys is less than about 100 ppm, the oxygen content is less than about 50 ppm, and the nitrogen content is less than about 20 ppm. Typically, the metal powders used to form metal alloys have a purity grade of at least 99.9, more typically at least about 99.95. The mixture of metal powders is then pressed together to form a solid solution of the metal alloy into a near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, or the like. Typically, the pressing process is carried out by an isostatic pressing process (i.e., applying uniform pressure to the metal powders from all sides), although other processes can also be used. When the metal powders are pressed together isostatically, cold isostatic pressing (CIP) is typically used to bond the metal powders, although this is not required. The pressing process can be carried out in an inert atmosphere, an oxygen-reducing atmosphere (e.g., hydrogen, argon and hydrogen mixture, etc.), and / or under vacuum, although this is not required. The average density of the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. obtained by pressing the metal powders together is about 80-95% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the final average density of the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc., or about 70-96% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the minimum theoretical density of the metal alloy. A pressing pressure of at least about 300 MPa is typically used. Typically, the pressing pressure is about 400-700 MPa, although other pressures can be used. After pressing the metal powders, the pressed metal powders are sintered at a temperature of at least 1600°C (e.g., 1600-3500°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) to partially or completely fuse the metal powders together and form the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. Sintering of the consolidated metal powders can be performed in an oxygen-reducing atmosphere (e.g., helium, argon, hydrogen, a mixture of argon and hydrogen, etc.) and / or under vacuum, although this is not required. At high sintering temperatures, the high hydrogen atmosphere reduces the amount of both carbon and oxygen in the formed near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc.Sintered metal powders generally have an as-sintered average density of about 90-99% of the metal alloy's minimum theoretical density. Typically, the final average density of the sintered metal alloy is at least about 5 gm / cc, typically at least about 8.3 gm / cc, and can be about 16 gm / cc or higher, although this is not required. The density of the formed near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. typically varies depending on the type of metal alloy used.

[0101] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. may optionally be cleaned and / or polished after the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. is formed, but this is not required. Typically, near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. are cleaned and / or polished before further processing, but this is not required. When near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. are resized and / or annealed, the resized and / or annealed near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. are typically cleaned and / or polished before and / or after each or series of resizing and / or annealing treatments, but this is not required. Cleaning and / or polishing of near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. is used to remove impurities and / or contaminants from the surface of the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. Impurities and contaminants may be incorporated into the metal alloy during processing of the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. The inadvertent introduction of impurities and contaminants into near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, and the like can result in metal alloys containing undesirable amounts of carbon, nitrogen, and / or oxygen, and / or other impurities. The inclusion of impurities and contaminants in metal alloys can cause premature microcracking of the metal alloy and / or adversely affect one or more physical properties of the metal alloy (e.g., decreased tensile elongation, increased ductility, increased brittleness, etc.). Cleaning of metal alloys can be accomplished by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, 1) wiping the metal alloy with Kimwipes or other suitable towels using a solvent (e.g., acetone, methyl alcohol, etc.), 2) at least partially immersing or dipping the metal alloy in a solvent followed by ultrasonic cleaning of the metal alloy, and / or 3) at least partially immersing or dipping the metal alloy in an acid pickling solution. As can be appreciated, metal alloys can be cleaned by other or additional methods. When polishing metal alloys, typically, an abrasive solution containing an acid solution is used to polish the metal alloy, although this is not required.

[0102] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, near-net medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc. can be resized to the desired dimensions of the medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cross-sectional area or diameter of the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. is reduced to the final near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. dimensions in a single step or series of steps. The reduction in the outer cross-sectional area or diameter of the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. can be achieved by centerless grinding, turning, electropolishing, drawing, grinding, laser cutting, shaving, polishing, EDM cutting, etc. The outer cross-sectional area or diameter size of the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. can be reduced using one or more drawing processes, but this is not required. Care must be taken to prevent microcracks from forming in the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc. during the drawing process during the reduction in the outer cross-sectional area or diameter of the near-net medical device, blank, rod, tube, etc.

[0103] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a) a zirconium salt (e.g., zirconium nitrate, zirconium oxalate, AgZrPSi, AgZrP, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and silver, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and zinc, Ag 0.2 H 1.2 Zr 1.9 (PO4)3.0.05H2O, Ag 0.1 H 1.14 Zr 1.94 (PO4)3.0.15H2O, Ag 0.2 Na 0.4 (NH4) 0.84 Zr 1.89 (PO4)3.0.3H2O, Ag 0.3 Na 0.1 H 1.04 Zr 1.89 (PO4)3.0.2H2O, Ag 0.5 Na 0.2 H 0.3 (NH4) 0.32 Zr1.92 (PO4)3.0.2H2O, Ag 0.4 K 0.6 H 0.36 Zr 1.91 (PO4)3.0.1H2O, etc.), b) zirconia, and / or c) Zr(IV) complexes with amino acids or ligands (e.g., N,O bidentate ligands) [e.g., C 20 H 14 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 22 H 18 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 26 H 26 Cl2N4O6S2Zr, C 26 H 24 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 34 H 26 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 22 H 16 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 26 H 24 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 34 H 26 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 38 H 28Medical devices are provided that include a coating of a Zr-amino acid complex (e.g., Zr-glutamic acid-graphite oxide, Zr-aspartic acid-graphite oxide, etc.). The coating comprises, at least in part, a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand, and can be used to partially or completely coat the medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment, the coating comprises, at least in part, a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand, and can be applied to the medical device before packaging the medical device. The coating material can optionally be used to inhibit or prevent microbial growth on the medical device after the medical device is packaged. In one non-limiting embodiment, the coating comprises, at least in part, a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand, and can be applied to the medical device to disinfect the medical device before use (e.g., implantation) in a patient. For example, a medical device can be disinfected by spraying or immersing it in a solution containing a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand, and then, if necessary, rinsing the solution from the medical device (e.g., with distilled water) before using the medical device on a patient.

[0104] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device is provided that includes a coating at least partially comprising a zirconium salt (e.g., zirconium nitrate, etc.). The zirconium salt may be the only antimicrobial agent applied to the medical device, or the zirconium salt may be combined with one or more other antimicrobial agents when applied to the medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium salt forms 30-100 wt.% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the antimicrobial coating on the medical device. The zirconium salt can be applied to the medical device via a liquid solution (e.g., a solvent solution, an aqueous solution, etc.), and then the solution is allowed to dry on the surface of the medical device. The antimicrobial coating can optionally be removed (e.g., rinsed, etc.) before inserting the medical device into a patient. If used, a washing process to remove the zirconium salt can include the use of water (e.g., sterile water, etc.), saline, an acidic solution (e.g., a nitric acid solution, a glacial acetic acid solution, etc.), or the like. The antimicrobial coating typically has a thickness of at least 0.01 μm, typically 0.01 to 500 μm (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The concentration of the zirconium salt when applied to the medical device is typically at least 5.7 μg / mL (e.g., 5.7 μg / mL to 200 μg / mL, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting embodiment, the concentration of the zirconium salt when applied to the medical device is at least 15 μg / mL. In another non-limiting embodiment, the concentration of the zirconium salt when applied to the medical device is at least 22.8 μg / mL.

[0105] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device is provided that includes a coating of zirconia. The particle size of the zirconia is generally at least 0.001 μm (1 nanometer), typically 0.001 μm to 0.5 μm (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The zirconia in the coating may be the only antimicrobial agent applied to the medical device, or the zirconia may be combined with one or more other antimicrobial agents when applied to the medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment, the zirconia forms 30 to 100 wt.% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the antimicrobial coating on the medical device. The zirconia may be applied to the medical device via a liquid solution (e.g., a solvent solution, an aqueous solution, etc.), and then the solution is allowed to dry on the surface of the medical device. The antimicrobial coating may optionally be removed (e.g., washed off, etc.) before inserting the medical device into a patient. The washing process to remove zirconia, if used, may include the use of water (e.g., sterile water, etc.), saline, acidic solutions (e.g., nitric acid solutions, glacial acetic acid solutions, etc.), etc. The thickness of the antimicrobial coating is typically at least 0.01 μm, typically 0.01 to 500 μm (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The concentration of zirconia applied to the medical device is typically at least 5.7 μg / mL (e.g., 5.7 μg / mL to 200 μg / mL, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting embodiment, the concentration of zirconia when applied to the medical device is at least 15 μg / mL. In one non-limiting embodiment, the concentration of zirconia when applied to the medical device is at least 22.8 μg / mL.

[0106] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device is provided comprising an antimicrobial coating, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises, at least in part, a Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand (e.g., a Zr-amino acid complex, etc.). The Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand may be the only antimicrobial agent applied to the medical device, or the Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand may be combined with one or more other antimicrobial agents when applied to the medical device. In one non-limiting embodiment, the Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand forms 30-100 wt.% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the antimicrobial coating on the medical device. The Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand may be applied to the medical device via a liquid solution (e.g., a solvent solution, an aqueous solution, etc.), and then the solution is allowed to dry on the surface of the medical device. The antimicrobial coating can optionally be removed (e.g., washed off, etc.) before inserting the medical device into a patient. The washing process for removing the Zr(IV) complex, if used, may include the use of water (e.g., sterile water, etc.), saline, acidic solutions (e.g., nitric acid solution, glacial acetic acid solution, etc.), etc. The thickness of the antimicrobial coating is typically at least 0.01 μm, typically 0.01 to 500 μm (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). The concentration of the Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand applied to the medical device is typically at least 5.7 μg / mL (e.g., 5.7 μg / mL to 200 μg / mL, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween). In one non-limiting embodiment, the concentration of the Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand when applied to the medical device is at least 15 μg / mL. In one non-limiting embodiment, the concentration of the Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand when applied to the medical device is at least 22.8 μg / mL.

[0107] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, medical devices are provided that can be formed by one or more manufacturing processes, including, but not limited to, laser cutting, etching, annealing, drawing, pilgering, electroplating, electropolishing, machining, plasma coating, 3D printing coating, 3D printing, chemical vapor deposition, chemical polishing, cleaning, pickling, ion beam deposition or implantation, sputter coating, vacuum deposition, etc. In one non-limiting embodiment, at least a portion or all of the medical device is formed by a 3D printing process.

[0108] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device in the form of a prosthetic heart valve is provided. The prosthetic heart valve includes an expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and optionally one or more skirts. A non-limiting prosthetic heart valve including an expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and one or more skirts is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 400,781, filed December 29, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. A zirconium-containing coating can be applied to the outer surface of one or more components of the prosthetic heart valve. In one non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium-containing coating partially (e.g., 0.1 to 99.999% of the outer surface, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) or completely coats the outer surface of the expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and / or one or more skirts. In one non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium-containing coating is partially or completely coated on the outer surface of only one or more leaflets and / or one or more skirts, and 0-5% (and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) of the outer surface of the expandable frame is coated with the zirconium-containing coating. In another non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium-containing coating is partially or completely coated on the outer surface of one or more leaflets before the one or more leaflets are connected to the expandable frame of the prosthetic heart valve. In another non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium-containing coating is partially or completely coated on the outer surface of one or more leaflets after the one or more leaflets are connected to the expandable frame of the prosthetic heart valve. In another non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium-containing coating is partially or completely coated on the outer surface of one or more skirts before the one or more skirts are connected to the expandable frame of the prosthetic heart valve. In another non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium-containing coating is partially or completely coated on the outer surface of one or more skirts after the one or more skirts are connected to the expandable frame of the prosthetic heart valve.In another non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium-containing coating is partially or completely coated on the outer surface of the expandable frame before one or more leaflets and / or one or more skirts are connected to the expandable frame of the prosthetic heart valve. In another non-limiting embodiment, the zirconium-containing coating is partially or completely coated on the outer surface of the expandable frame after one or more leaflets and / or one or more skirts are connected to the expandable frame of the prosthetic heart valve. The zirconium-containing coating can be used to inhibit or prevent microbial growth on the outer surface of one or more components of the prosthetic heart valve before the prosthetic heart valve is inserted into a patient. This feature of the zirconium-containing coating can be beneficial in inhibiting or preventing contamination of the leaflets and / or skirt (e.g., microbial growth, dirt, and / or other foreign matter on the outer surface) before and / or after the leaflets and / or skirt are secured to the expandable frame of the prosthetic heart valve. Prior to insertion of the prosthetic heart valve into a patient's body, one or more portions or the entire prosthetic heart valve can optionally be treated (e.g., cleaned, etc.) to partially or completely remove any zirconium-containing coating on the outer surface of one or more components or portions of the prosthetic heart valve.

[0109] One non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device that is partially or completely coated with an antimicrobial agent that comprises at least in part a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex with an amino acid or ligand.

[0110] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed partially or completely from a metal alloy containing at least 15 atw.% rhenium.

[0111] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising, in part or in whole, a refractory metal alloy or metal alloy containing at least 5 awt.% rhenium (e.g., 5-99 awt.%, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0112] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device with improved procedural success rates.

[0113] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, wherein the substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of a) standard stainless steel, b) standard cobalt-chromium alloy, c) standard titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy, d) standard aluminum alloy, e) standard nickel alloy, f) standard titanium alloy, g) standard tungsten alloy, h) standard molybdenum alloy, i) standard copper alloy, j) standard beryllium-copper alloy, k) standard titanium-nickel alloy, l) refractory metal alloy, or m) a metal alloy comprising at least 5 atomic weight percent (awt.%) or atomic percent (awt.%) rhenium (e.g., 5-99 awt.% rhenium, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), and the medical device comprises an optional a) spinal implants, b) frames and other structures for use with spinal implants, c) bone implants, d) artificial intervertebral discs, e) artificial spinal discs, f) spinal interbody, g) expandable spinal interbody, h) intervertebral fusion devices, i) expandable intervertebral fusion devices, j) artificial implants or devices for repairing, replacing and / or supporting bone and / or cartilage, k) bone plate nails, l) spinal rods, m) bone screws, n) posts, o) spinal cages, p) bone plates, q) pedicle screws, r) caps, s) hinges, t) articulation systems, u) anchors, v) spacers, w) shafts, x) anchors, y) discs, z) balls, aa) tension bands, or ab) locking connectors or other structural assemblies used within the body to support, attach and / or repair structures within the body.

[0114] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device comprising 0.1 wt.% or less nickel, 0.1 wt.% or less cobalt, and / or 0.1 wt.% or less chromium.

[0115] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a refractory metal alloy or metal alloy containing at least 5 atomic weight percent (awt.%) or atomic percent (awt.%) rhenium (e.g., 5-99 awt.% rhenium, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween).

[0116] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from at least 0.1 wt.% rhenium and one or more metals selected from molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, titanium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and / or tungsten.

[0117] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the medical device being at least partially made of a) standard stainless steel, b) standard cobalt-chromium alloy, c) standard titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy, d) standard aluminum alloy, e) standard nickel alloy, f) standard titanium alloy, g) standard tungsten alloy, h) standard molybdenum alloy, i) standard copper alloy, j) standard beryllium-copper alloy, k) standard titanium-nickel alloy, l) refractory metal alloy, or m) at least 5 atomic weight percent (awt.%) or atomic percent (awt.%). % rhenium (e.g., 5-99 awt.% rhenium, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the medical device optionally comprises 0.1 wt.% or less nickel, 0.1 wt.% or less cobalt, and / or 0.1 wt.% or less chromium, the medical device optionally being formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of a refractory metal alloy or a metal alloy comprising at least 5 atomic weight percent (awt.%) or atomic percent (awt.%) rhenium (e.g., 5-99 awt.% rhenium, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the medical device optionally comprising at least 0.1 wt.% or less nickel, 0.1 wt.% or less cobalt, and / or 0.1 wt.% or less chromium, the medical device optionally being formed from ...% rhenium and one or more metals selected from molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, titanium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and / or tungsten, and the medical device is optionally used for a) spinal implants, b) frames and other structures for use with spinal implants, c) bone implants, d) artificial intervertebral discs, e) artificial spinal discs, f) spinal interbody, g) expandable spinal interbody, h) intervertebral fusion devices, i) expandable intervertebral fusion devices, j) bone and / or cartilage repair, replacement and k) bone plate nail, l) spinal rod, m) bone screw, n) post, o) spinal cage, p) bone plate, q) pedicle screw, r) cap, s) hinge, t) articulation system, u) anchor, v) spacer, w) shaft, x) anchor, y) disc, z) ball, aa) tension band, or ab) locking connector or other structural assembly used within the body to support, attach, and / or repair a structure within the body.

[0118] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the coating comprising a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

[0119] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, wherein the coating has a thickness of 0.01 to 500 μm.

[0120] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the coating comprising 30-100 wt.% of a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

[0121] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, wherein the coating comprises a zirconium salt.

[0122] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the coating comprising a zirconium salt, the zirconium salt being selected from the group consisting of zirconium nitrate, zirconium oxalate, AgZrPSi, AgZrP, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and silver, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and zinc, Ag 0.2 H 1.2 Zr 1.9 (PO4)3.0.05H2O, Ag 0.1 H 1.14 Zr 1.94 (PO4)3.0.15H2O, Ag 0.2 Na 0.4 (NH4) 0.84 Zr 1.89 (PO4)3.0.3H2O, Ag 0.3 Na 0.1 H 1.04 Zr 1.89 (PO4)3.0.2H2O, Ag 0.5 Na 0.2 H 0.3 (NH4) 0.32 Zr 1.92 (PO4)3.0.21H2O, and Ag 0.4 K 0.6 H 0.36 Zr 1.91 (PO4)3.0.1H2O.

[0123] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, wherein the coating comprises zirconia.

[0124] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the coating comprising zirconia, the zirconia having a particle size of 0.001 μm to 0.5 μm.

[0125] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, wherein the coating comprises a Zr(IV) complex.

[0126] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the coating including a Zr(IV) complex, the Zr(IV) complex formed with an amino acid or a ligand.

[0127] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the coating comprising a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex, applied to the medical device at a concentration of at least 5.7 μg / mL.

[0128] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the coating comprising a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex, applied to the medical device at a concentration of 5.7 μg / mL to 200 μg / mL.

[0129] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the coating comprising a Zr(IV) complex, the Zr(IV) complex being selected from the group consisting of C 20 H 14 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 22 H 18 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 26 H 26Cl2N4O6S2Zr, C 26 H 24 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 34 H 26 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 22 H 16 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 26 H 24 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 34 H 26 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 38 H 28 The composite oxides include one or more of Cl2N6O6Zr, Zr-glutamic acid-graphite oxide, and / or Zr-aspartic acid-graphite oxide.

[0130] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the medical device including tissue and / or polymeric material that cannot be sterilized in a high temperature environment (e.g., 38+°C, 38+°C to 100+°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween; 38+°C to 150+°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), wherein the zirconium-containing coating is applied to the tissue and / or polymeric material to protect the tissue and / or polymeric material from foreign matter and / or microbial growth, and the zirconium-containing coating is removed from the tissue and / or polymeric material before the medical device is implanted into a patient's body.

[0131] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the medical device including tissue (e.g., valve leaflets, etc.) and / or polymer and / or fabric material (e.g., skirt, etc.) that cannot be sterilized in high temperature environments (e.g., 38+°C, 38+°C to 100+°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween; 38+°C to 150+°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the zirconium-containing coating applied to the tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material to protect the tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material from foreign matter and / or microbial growth, the zirconium-containing coating optionally being removed from the tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material before the medical device is implanted into a patient's body, and the medical device is a prosthetic heart valve.

[0132] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device formed from a substrate and a zirconium-containing coating, the medical device including tissue (e.g., valve leaflets, etc.) and / or polymer and / or fabric material (e.g., skirt, etc.) that cannot be sterilized in high temperature environments (e.g., 38+°C, 38+°C to 100+°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween; 38+°C to 150+°C, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween), the zirconium-containing coating applied to the tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material to protect the tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material from foreign matter and / or microbial growth, the zirconium-containing coating optionally being removed from the tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material before the medical device is implanted within a patient's body, and the medical device is a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve including an expandable metal frame, the expandable metal frame optionally formed from a metal alloy including at least 15 atw.% rhenium.

[0133] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a medical device that is a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve including an expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and one or more skirts, wherein a zirconium-containing coating is coated on the outer surface of one or more of the expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and one or more skirts. Non-limiting prosthetic heart valves including an expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and one or more skirts are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 400,781, filed December 29, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The zirconium-containing coating can partially (e.g., 0.1 to 99.999% of the outer surface, and all values ​​and ranges therebetween) or completely coat the outer surface of the expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and / or one or more skirts.

[0134] These and other advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this description.

[0135] The articles / devices, processes, and components disclosed herein can be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which are merely schematic illustrations for convenience and ease of illustrating the disclosure, and are therefore not intended to illustrate the relative sizes and dimensions of the devices or their components, and / or to define or limit the scope of the example embodiments.

[0136] Although specific terminology is used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that in the drawings and the following description, like number designations refer to components of like function.

[0137] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0138] As used in this specification and claims, the term "comprising" can include "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" embodiments. As used herein, the terms "comprise," "include," "having," "has," "can," and "contain," and variations thereof, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that require the presence of the specified components / steps and allow for the presence of other components / steps. However, such descriptions should be construed as describing compositions or processes as "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" the listed components / steps, which allows for the presence of only the specified components / steps, along with any unavoidable impurities that may result therefrom, and excludes other components / steps.

[0139] Numerical values ​​in this specification and claims should be understood to include the same value when converted to the same number of significant figures, and also to include values ​​that differ from the stated value by no more than the experimental error of conventional measurement techniques of the type described in this application to determine the value.

[0140] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the recited endpoints and are independently combinable (e.g., the range "2 grams to 10 grams" includes the endpoints, 2 grams and 10 grams, and all intermediate values).

[0141] The terms "about" and "approximately" can be used to include any numerical value that can vary without changing the basis function of its value. When used in conjunction with a range, "about" and "approximately" also disclose the range defined by the absolute values ​​of the two endpoints, for example, "about 2 to about 4" also discloses the range "2 to 4." In general, the terms "about" and "approximately" can refer to plus or minus 10% of the indicated number.

[0142] Element percentages should be considered to be weight percent of the element stated unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0143] Although the operations of exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods may be described in a particular sequential order for convenience, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments may encompass orders of operations other than the particular sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described in sequence may in some cases be rearranged or performed simultaneously. Furthermore, descriptions and disclosures provided in connection with a particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment and may apply to any disclosed embodiment.

[0144] Additionally, the description may use terms such as "generate" and "provide" to describe the disclosed methodologies. These terms are abstractions of actual operations that may be performed. The actual operations corresponding to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and would be readily discernible to one of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure.

[0145] Thus, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, since the above-described objectives are efficiently attained among the objects made apparent from the foregoing description, and certain changes may be made in the described structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred and alternative embodiments. Modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed description of the present disclosure provided herein. The present disclosure is intended to include all such modifications and variations insofar as they fall within the scope of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the general and specific features of the present disclosure described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present disclosure that may, as a matter of language, be said to fall therebetween.

[0146] To assist the Patent Office, and all readers of this application and any resulting patent, in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants do not intend that any of the appended claims or claim elements invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words "means for" or "step for" are expressly used in a particular claim.

[0147] (Addendum) (Appendix 1) A medical device comprising a coating, said coating comprising: a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

[0148] (Appendix 2) 2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of 0.01 to 500 μm.

[0149] (Appendix 3) 2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises 30-100 wt.% of a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

[0150] (Appendix 4) 3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the coating comprises 30-100 wt.% of a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

[0151] (Appendix 5) 10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a zirconium salt.

[0152] (Appendix 6) 5. The medical device of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the coating comprises a zirconium salt.

[0153] (Appendix 7) The zirconium salts include zirconium nitrate, zirconium oxalate, AgZrPSi, AgZrP, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and silver, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and zinc, Ag 0.2 H 1.2 Zr 1.9 (PO4)3.0.05H2O, Ag 0.1 H 1.14 Zr 1.94 (PO4)3.0.15H2O, Ag 0.2 Na 0.4 (NH4) 0.84 Zr 1.89 (PO4)3.0.3H2O, Ag 0.3 Na 0.1 H 1.04 Zr 1.89 (PO4)3.0.2H2O, Ag 0.5 Na 0.2 H 0.3 (NH4) 0.32 Zr 1.92 (PO4)3.0.2H2O, and Ag 0.4 K 0.6 H 0.36 Zr 1.91 (PO4)3.0.1H2O.

[0154] (Appendix 8) The zirconium salts include zirconium nitrate, zirconium oxalate, AgZrPSi, AgZrP, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and silver, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and zinc, Ag 0.2 H 1.2 Zr 1.9 (PO4)3.0.05H2O, Ag 0.1 H 1.14 Zr 1.94 (PO4)3.0.15H2O, Ag 0.2 Na 0.4 (NH4) 0.84 Zr 1.89 (PO4)3.0.3H2O, Ag 0.3 Na 0.1 H 1.04 Zr 1.89 (PO4)3.0.2H2O, Ag 0.5 Na 0.2 H 0.3 (NH4) 0.32 Zr 1.92 (PO4)3.0.2H2O, and Ag 0.4 K 0.6 H 0.36 Zr 1.91 (PO4)3.0.1H2O.

[0155] (Appendix 9) 10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises zirconia.

[0156] (Appendix 10) 5. The medical device of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises zirconia.

[0157] (Appendix 11) 10. The medical device according to claim 9, wherein the zirconia has a particle size of 0.001 μm to 0.5 μm.

[0158] (Appendix 12) 11. The medical device according to claim 10, wherein the zirconia has a particle size of 0.001 μm to 0.5 μm.

[0159] (Appendix 13) 2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises a Zr(IV) complex.

[0160] (Appendix 14) 5. The medical device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises a Zr(IV) complex.

[0161] (Appendix 15) 14. The medical device of claim 13, wherein the Zr(IV) complex is formed with an amino acid or a ligand.

[0162] (Appendix 16) 15. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the Zr(IV) complex is formed with an amino acid or a ligand.

[0163] (Appendix 17) The Zr(IV) complex is C 20 H 14 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 22 H 18 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 26 H 26 Cl2N4O6S2Zr, C 26 H 24 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 34 H 26 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 22 H 16 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 26 H 24 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 34 H 26 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 38 H 28 14. The medical device of claim 13, comprising one or more of Cl2N6O6Zr, Zr-glutamic acid-graphite oxide, and / or Zr-aspartic acid-graphite oxide.

[0164] (Appendix 18) The Zr(IV) complex is C 20 H 14 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 22 H 18 Cl2N4O6Zr, C26 H 26 Cl2N4O6S2Zr, C 26 H 24 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 34 H 26 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 22 H 16 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 26 H 24 Cl4N4O6Zr, C 34 H 26 Cl2N4O6Zr, C 38 H 28 17. The medical device of any one of claims 14 to 16, comprising one or more of Cl2N6O6Zr, Zr-glutamic acid-graphite oxide, and / or Zr-aspartic acid-graphite oxide.

[0165] (Appendix 17) 2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material that cannot be sterilized in a high temperature environment.

[0166] (Appendix 18) 17. The medical device of any one of appendices 2 to 16, wherein the medical device comprises tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material that cannot be sterilized in a high temperature environment.

[0167] (Appendix 19) 2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device is a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve including an expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and one or more skirts, and the coating is coated on the outer surfaces of one or more of the expandable frame, the one or more leaflets, and the one or more skirts.

[0168] (Appendix 20) 19. The medical device of any one of appendices 2 to 18, wherein the medical device is a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve including an expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and one or more skirts, and the coating is applied to an outer surface of one or more of the expandable frame, the one or more leaflets, and the one or more skirts.

[0169] (Appendix 21) 2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the medical device is formed from a metal alloy containing at least 15 atw.% rhenium.

[0170] (Appendix 22) 21. The medical device of any one of appendixes 2-20, wherein at least a portion of the medical device is formed from a metal alloy containing at least 15 atw.% rhenium.

[0171] (Appendix 23) 22. The medical device of claim 21, wherein the metal alloy comprises one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, hafnium, iridium, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, and zirconium, and wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the metal alloy without rhenium.

[0172] (Appendix 24) 23. The medical device of claim 22, wherein the metal alloy comprises one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, hafnium, iridium, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, and zirconium, and wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the metal alloy without rhenium.

[0173] (Appendix 25) 10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the coating is applied to the medical device at a concentration of at least 5.7 μg / mL.

[0174] (Appendix 26) 25. The medical device of any one of appendixes 2-24, wherein the coating is applied to the medical device at a concentration of at least 5.7 μg / mL.

[0175] (Appendix 27) 26. The medical device of claim 25, wherein the coating is applied to the medical device at a concentration of 5.7 μg / mL to 200 μg / mL.

[0176] (Appendix 28) 27. The medical device of claim 26, wherein the coating is applied to the medical device at a concentration of 5.7 μg / mL to 200 μg / mL.

[0177] (Appendix 29) 1. A medical device comprising a removable antimicrobial coating, the medical device being a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve comprising an expandable frame and one or more of a) valve leaflets and b) a skirt, the coating comprising a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex, the coating being applied to an outer surface of the valve leaflets and / or the skirt, and the coating having a thickness of 0.01 to 500 μm.

[0178] (Appendix 30) 1. A method of inhibiting microbial growth on and / or sterilizing a medical device, comprising: a. providing a medical device; b. applying an antimicrobial coating to at least a portion of the medical device, the antimicrobial coating comprising: a) a zirconium salt; b) zirconia; and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex; Including, method.

[0179] (Appendix 31) 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising at least partially removing the coating from the medical device prior to inserting the medical device into a patient.

[0180] (Appendix 32) 1. A method of inhibiting microbial growth on and / or sterilizing a medical device, comprising: a. providing a medical device, the medical device being a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve including an expandable frame and one or more of a) leaflets and b) a skirt; b. applying an antimicrobial coating to at least a portion of the medical device, the coating comprising a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex, the coating being applied to the outer surfaces of the leaflets and / or skirt to inhibit or prevent microbial growth on the outer surfaces of the leaflets and / or skirt including the coating, the coating having a thickness of 0.01 to 500 μm; c. at least partially removing the coating from the medical device prior to inserting the medical device into a patient; Including, method.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising a coating, said coating comprising: a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the coating has a thickness of 0.01 to 500 μm.

3. 10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises 30-100 wt. % of a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

4. 3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the coating comprises 30-100 wt. % of a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex.

5. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a zirconium salt.

6. The medical device of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the coating comprises a zirconium salt.

7. The zirconium salts include zirconium nitrate, zirconium oxalate, AgZrPSi, AgZrP, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and silver, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and zinc, Ag ０．２ H １．２ Zr １．９ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.05H ２ O, Ag ０．１ H １．１４ Zr １．９４ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.15H ２ O, Ag ０．２ Na ０．４ (NH ４ ) ０．８４ Zr １．８９ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.3H ２ O, Ag ０．３ Na ０．１ H １．０４ Zr １．８９ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.2H ２ O, Ag ０．５ Na ０．２ H ０．３ (NH ４ ) ０．３２ Zr １．９２ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.2H ２ O and Ag ０．４ K ０．６ H ０．３６ Zr １．９１ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.1H ２ The medical device of claim 5 , comprising one or more of:

8. The zirconium salts include zirconium nitrate, zirconium oxalate, AgZrPSi, AgZrP, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and silver, zirconium phosphate-glycine diphosphonate and zinc, Ag ０．２ H １．２ Zr １．９ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.05H ２ O, Ag ０．１ H １．１４ Zr １．９４ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.15H ２ O, Ag ０．２ Na ０．４ (NH ４ ) ０．８４ Zr １．８９ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.3H ２ O, Ag ０．３ Na ０．１ H １．０４ Zr １．８９ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.2H ２ O, Ag ０．５ Na ０．２ H ０．３ (NH ４ ) ０．３２ Zr １．９２ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.2H ２ O and Ag ０．４ K ０．６ H ０．３６ Zr １．９１ (P.O. ４ ) ３ . 0.1H ２ The medical device of claim 6, comprising one or more of:

9. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises zirconia.

10. The medical device of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises zirconia.

11. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the zirconia has a particle size of 0.001 μm to 0.5 μm.

12. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the zirconia has a particle size of 0.001 μm to 0.5 μm.

13. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises a Zr(IV) complex.

14. The medical device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises a Zr(IV) complex.

15. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the Zr(IV) complex is formed with an amino acid or a ligand.

16. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the Zr(IV) complex is formed with an amino acid or a ligand.

17. The Zr(IV) complex is C ２０ H １４ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ２２ H １８ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ２６ H ２６ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ S ２ Zr, C ２６ H ２４ Cl ４ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ３４ H ２６ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ２２ H １６ Cl ４ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ２６ H ２４ Cl ４ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ３４ H ２６ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ３８ H ２８ Cl ２ N ６ O ６ 14. The medical device of claim 13, comprising one or more of Zr, Zr-glutamic acid-graphite oxide, and / or Zr-aspartic acid-graphite oxide.

18. The Zr(IV) complex is C ２０ H １４ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ２２ H １８ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ２６ H ２６ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ S ２ Zr, C ２６ H ２４ Cl ４ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ３４ H ２６ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ２２ H １６ Cl ４ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ２６ H ２４ Cl ４ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ３４ H ２６ Cl ２ N ４ O ６ Zr, C ３８ H ２８ Cl ２ N ６ O ６ The medical device of any one of claims 14 to 16, comprising one or more of Zr, Zr-glutamic acid-graphite oxide, and / or Zr-aspartic acid-graphite oxide.

19. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material that cannot be sterilized in a high temperature environment.

20. The medical device of any one of claims 2 to 18, wherein the medical device comprises a tissue and / or polymer and / or fabric material that cannot be sterilized in a high temperature environment.

21. 10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the medical device is a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve including an expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and one or more skirts, and the coating is applied to an outer surface of one or more of the expandable frame, the one or more leaflets, and the one or more skirts.

22. The medical device of any one of claims 2 to 20, wherein the medical device is a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve including an expandable frame, one or more leaflets, and one or more skirts, and the coating is coated on an outer surface of one or more of the expandable frame, the one or more leaflets, and the one or more skirts.

23. 10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the medical device is formed from a metal alloy containing at least 15 atw.% rhenium.

24. 23. The medical device of any one of claims 2 to 22, wherein at least a portion of the medical device is formed from a metal alloy containing at least 15 atw.% rhenium.

25. 24. The medical device of claim 23, wherein the metal alloy comprises one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, hafnium, iridium, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, and zirconium, and wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the metal alloy without rhenium.

26. 25. The medical device of claim 24, wherein the metal alloy comprises one or more alloying metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, hafnium, iridium, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, and zirconium, and wherein the metal alloy a) exhibits at least a 10% increase in ductility and / or b) exhibits at least a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the metal alloy without rhenium.

27. 10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the coating is applied to the medical device at a concentration of at least 5.7 μg / mL.

28. The medical device of any one of claims 2 to 26, wherein the coating is applied to the medical device at a concentration of at least 5.7 μg / mL.

29. 28. The medical device of claim 27, wherein the coating is applied to the medical device at a concentration of 5.7 μg / mL to 200 μg / mL.

30. 30. The medical device of claim 28, wherein the coating is applied to the medical device at a concentration of 5.7 μg / mL to 200 μg / mL.

31. 1. A medical device comprising a removable antimicrobial coating, the medical device being a prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve comprising an expandable frame and one or more of a) valve leaflets and b) a skirt, the coating comprising a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex, the coating being applied to an outer surface of the valve leaflets and / or the skirt, the coating having a thickness of 0.01 to 500 μm.

32. 1. A method of inhibiting microbial growth on and / or sterilizing a medical device, comprising: a. providing a medical device; b. applying an antimicrobial coating to at least a portion of the medical device, the antimicrobial coating comprising: a) a zirconium salt; b) zirconia; and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex; Including, method.

33. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising at least partially removing the coating from the medical device prior to inserting the medical device into a patient.

34. 1. A method of inhibiting microbial growth on and / or sterilizing a medical device, comprising: a. providing a medical device, said medical device being a prosthetic heart valve, said prosthetic heart valve including an expandable frame and one or more of a) leaflets and b) a skirt; b. applying an antimicrobial coating to at least a portion of the medical device, the coating comprising a) a zirconium salt, b) zirconia, and / or c) a Zr(IV) complex, the coating being applied to the outer surfaces of the leaflets and / or skirt to inhibit or prevent microbial growth on the outer surfaces of the leaflets and / or skirt including the coating, the coating having a thickness of 0.01 to 500 μm; c) at least partially removing the coating from the medical device prior to inserting the medical device into a patient; Including, method.

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