Expandable system for fracture repair

Abstract

A system for percutaneous fixation and stabilization of fractures, comprising a straddle-type expandable structural frame positioned within the intramedullary canal of bone, equipped with an expandable medical device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Reference application) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 536,948, filed on 7 September 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Area of ​​disclosure) This disclosure relates, in general, to the fixation, repair, and stabilization of fractures, and more specifically to expandable medical devices that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of fractures, more specifically to expandable medical devices that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of fractured bones, and even more specifically to expandable medical devices that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of fractured bones, wherein the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the expandable medical device has a sufficient amount of rhenium to improve the ductility and tensile strength of the metal alloy. [Background technology]

[0003] Common methods for treating fractures range from immobilizing the fracture to restricting movement in the fractured area via a cast or wrap. Generally, pins, screws, rods, and cement are used to repair fractured bone. In some of these fracture treatments, the fractured bone is not properly stabilized, thereby resulting in potential misalignment of the fractured bone. Figures 1–3 illustrate common systems and methods for fracture fixation, including external fixation of fractures with plaster casts, splint devices, or external fixation frames (see Figure 1), internal fixation with plates and screws (see Figure 2), or indirect fixation of fractures with the insertion of intramedullary devices (see Figure 3).

[0004] As illustrated and illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, these conventional bone fixation devices have several disadvantages. For example, casting devices such as the one illustrated in Figure 1 may a) result in long-term fixation of the fracture site, thus adding discomfort and inconvenience during bone healing; b) result in muscle atrophy due to long-term fixation, requiring a long recovery period and potential physical therapy; c) increase the incidence of thrombosis; and d) lead to disuse syndrome.

[0005] Some bone fixation devices currently use compression plates and screw devices to apply compressive force across the fracture site (see Figure 2). Such fixation devices may require a large surgical incision over the bone at the fracture site. The placement of plates and screws typically a) requires interference with the soft tissue covering the fracture site, b) causes interference with the fracture hematoma, c) is a highly invasive procedure, d) carries a risk of vascular lesions, e) may require the use of extracortical hardware for later removal of the fixation device, and / or f) may result in detachment of the periosteum of the bone, which can impair the blood supply to the fractured bone fragments.

[0006] As illustrated in Figure 3, another system for treating fracture sites involves intramedullary nailing. In such a procedure, one or more nails are inserted into the intramedullary canal of the fractured bone, usually through an incision located at either end of the bone. Intramedullary nailing may have advantages over external casting and other methods of fracture stabilization. However, there are several disadvantages associated with intramedullary nailing, namely, a) the procedure is highly invasive, b) it requires a large incision in the bone (e.g., about 15 mm), c) it may result in cortical reaming, d) it may result in substantial or complete bone marrow replacement, e) it may result in a risk of pulmonary embolism, f) reaming of the intramedullary canal and placement of the nail without reaming may impair intramedullary blood supply to the fracture, g) the shape of the nail may not match the shape of the intramedullary canal, thereby potentially resulting in improper or difficult placement of the nail within the canal, and / or h) hardware migration may occur during fracture repair, thereby potentially resulting in slower recovery times and improper fracture repair. Several prior art intramedullary nails are illustrated in US6,783,530, US6,551,321, US6,224,600, US2009 / 0018542, US2008 / 0255560, and US2002 / 0032444, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0007] Considering current prior art, there is a need in this field for a minimally invasive and more effective method to stabilize the fracture site with minimal disruption to fracture biology, reduced trauma to the intramedullary canal, better biomechanical properties, and smaller incisions. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This disclosure relates generally to the fixation, repair, and stabilization of fractures, and more specifically to expandable medical devices that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of fractures, more specifically to expandable medical devices partially or completely formed of a rhenium-containing metal alloy that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of fractured bones, and even more specifically to expandable medical devices partially or completely formed of a rhenium-containing metal alloy that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of fractured bones, wherein the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the expandable medical device has a sufficient amount of rhenium to improve the ductility and tensile strength of the metal alloy. In one non-limiting embodiment, the expandable medical device is generally configured to be partially or completely inserted into a canal of fractured bone, having a length sufficient to straddle the fracture site of the fracture, and expandable within the canal to conform to the inner surface of the canal. In another non-limiting embodiment, a guide wire for use with the expandable medical device is optionally provided. A guidewire can be used to facilitate the insertion of an expandable medical device into the bone canal of a fractured bone. The guidewire may have a size and shape suitable for insertion into the bone canal, sufficient length to straddle the fracture site of the fractured bone, and sufficient flexibility and support to guide the expandable medical device through the bone canal partially or completely. In another non-limiting embodiment, a sheath for use with the expandable medical device is optionally provided. The sheath can be used to facilitate the insertion of an expandable medical device into the bone canal of a fractured bone. The sheath may have an elongated longitudinal cavity that is a size and shape suitable for insertion into the bone canal, sufficient length to straddle the fracture site of the fractured bone, and / or a size and shape that partially or completely receives the expandable medical device through the cavity. In another non-limiting embodiment, a curable surgical fluid may optionally be used with the expandable medical device.When used, the curable surgical fluid provides additional support across the fracture site, especially when used in conjunction with expandable medical devices.

[0009] In other and / or alternative non-limiting aspects of this disclosure, expandable medical devices are optionally a) heat-resistant metal alloys and / or b) metal alloys containing at least 15 atomic percentages (awt.%) or atomic percentages (awt%) of rhenium to produce a “rhenium effect” in the metal alloy. Where used herein, atomic percentages (awt.%) and atomic percentages (awt%) are used interchangeably. As defined herein, a weight percentage (wt%) of an element is obtained by dividing the weight of that element measured in a sample by the weight of all elements in the sample and multiplying by 100. An atomic percentage or atomic percentage (awt%) is obtained by dividing the number of atoms of that element in its weight percentage by the total number of atoms in the sample and multiplying by 100. The use of the terms weight percentage (wt%) and atomic percentage or atomic percentage (awt.%) are two ways of referring to a metal alloy and its components. For several metal alloys, it has been found that the inclusion of at least 15 awt.% rhenium improves the ductility and / or tensile strength of the metal alloy compared to metal alloys that do not contain rhenium. Such improvement in ductility and / or tensile strength due to the inclusion of at least 15 awt.% rhenium in a metal alloy is referred to as the “rhenium effect.” As defined herein, the “rhenium effect” is a) an increase of at least 10% in ductility of a metal alloy caused by the addition of rhenium to the metal alloy, and / or b) an increase of at least 10% in tensile strength of a metal alloy caused by the addition of rhenium to the metal alloy. As defined herein, a heat-resistant metal alloy is a metal alloy containing at least 20 wt% of one or more of molybdenum, rhenium, niobium, tantalum, or tungsten. Examples of non-limiting heat-resistant metal alloys include MoRe alloys, ReW alloys, MoReCr alloys, MoReTa alloys, MoReTi alloys, WCu alloys, ReCr, molybdenum alloys, rhenium alloys, tungsten alloys, tantalum alloys, and niobium alloys. In one non-limiting configuration, 50–100% by weight (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of an expandable medical device is formed from a heat-resistant metal alloy or a metal alloy containing at least 15 awt.% rhenium.In another non-limiting configuration, the metal alloy used to partially or completely form an expandable medical device contains at least 30% by weight (e.g., 30–99% by weight and all values ​​and ranges in between) of one or more of molybdenum, rhenium, niobium, tantalum, or tungsten. In another non-limiting embodiment, a heat-resistant metal alloy or metal alloy containing at least 15 awt.% rhenium may be used to: 1) increase the radiopaqueness of the expandable medical device; 2) increase the radial strength of the expandable medical device; 3) increase the yield strength and / or ultimate tensile strength of the expandable medical device; 4) improve the stress-strain properties of the expandable medical device; 5) improve the compression and / or expandability properties of the expandable medical device; 6) improve the bendability and / or flexibility of the expandable medical device; 7) improve the strength and / or durability of the expandable medical device; 8) increase the hardness of the expandable medical device; 9) improve the biostability and / or biocompatibility of the expandable medical device; 10) increase the fatigue resistance of the expandable medical device; 11) resist cracking of the expandable medical device; 12) resist crack propagation of the expandable medical device; and 13) make the expandable medical device smaller, thinner, and / or lighter. This makes it possible to fabricate, 14) facilitate the reduction of the outer diameter of the crimped expandable medical device, 15) improve the fit of the expandable medical device to the shape of the treatment area when the expandable medical device is expanded in the treatment area, 16) reduce the amount of recoil of the expandable medical device after it has been expanded in the treatment area, 17) reduce harmful tissue reactions with the expandable medical device, 18) reduce metal ion release from the expandable medical device after implantation of the expandable medical device, 19) reduce corrosion of the expandable medical device after implantation of the expandable medical device, 20) reduce allergic reactions with the expandable medical device after implantation of the expandable medical device (e.g., by reducing the nickel content of the metal alloy), 21) improve the hydrophilicity of the expandable medical device, 22) reduce the magnetic susceptibility of the expandable medical device, and / or 23) reduce the toxicity of the expandable medical device after implantation of the expandable medical device.

[0010] In other and / or alternative non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices may be partially or completely formed from 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, or standard beryllium-copper alloy, which are optionally modified to contain at least 15 awt.% rhenium to result in improved ductility and / or tensile strength compared to the same metal alloy that does not contain rhenium. As defined herein, standard stainless steel alloys (SS alloys) contain 10–28 wt% (weight percent) of chromium, 0–35 wt% of nickel, 0–4 wt% of molybdenum, 0–2 wt% of manganese, 0–0.75 wt% of silicon, 0–0.3 wt% of carbon, 0–5 wt% of titanium, 0–10 wt% of niobium, 0–5 wt% of copper, 0–4 wt% of aluminum, 0–10 wt% of tantalum, 0–1 wt% of se, 0–2 wt% of vanadium, 0–2 wt% of tungsten, and at least 50 wt% of iron. Standard 316L alloys, included in standard stainless steel alloys, contain 17–19 wt% of chromium, 13–15 wt% of nickel, 2–4 wt% of molybdenum, up to 2 wt% of manganese, up to 0.75 wt% of silicon, up to 0.03 wt% of carbon, and the remainder being 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, which are included in standard CoCr alloys, 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 remainder cobalt.As defined herein, standard Phynox and standard Elgiloy alloys, which are included in standard CoCr alloys, 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, standard L605 alloy, which is included in standard CoCr alloys, contains 18–22 wt% chromium, 14–16 wt% tungsten, 9–11 wt% nickel, and the remainder cobalt. As defined herein, 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. Standard Ti-6Al-4V alloys, which are included in standard TiAlV alloys, contain 3.5–4.5 wt% vanadium, 5.5–6.75 wt% aluminum, up to 0.3 wt% iron, up to 0.08 wt% carbon, up to 0.05 wt% yttrium, and the remainder titanium. As defined herein, standard aluminum alloys contain 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, 0–0.5, 0 It contains approximately 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 contains 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. The rhenium effect has been found to occur when the atomic weight of rhenium in a metallic alloy is at least 15% (e.g., 15–99 wt.% rhenium in a metallic alloy, and all values ​​and ranges in between). For example, in the case of a standard stainless steel alloy, the rhenium effect may begin to be present when the stainless steel alloy is modified to contain at least 5–10 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges in between) in the stainless steel alloy.In the case of standard CoCr alloys, the rhenium effect may begin to exist when the CoCr alloy is modified to contain at least 4.8–9.5 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the CoCr alloy. In the case of standard TiAlV alloys, the rhenium effect may begin to exist when the TiAlV alloy is modified to contain at least 4.5–9 wt% rhenium (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the TiAlV alloy. It can be understood that the rhenium content in the above non-limiting examples may be greater than the minimum amount required to produce the rhenium effect in a metallic alloy.

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

[0013] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, a metal alloy used to partially or completely form an expandable medical device comprises rhenium and molybdenum, wherein the ratio of the atomic percentage of rhenium to the atomic percentage of one or more combinations 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 (as well as all values ​​and ranges in between).

[0014] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, a metal alloy used to partially or completely form an expandable medical device is an alloy of at least 5 wt.% (e.g., 5 to 99 wt.% and all values ​​and ranges in between) of rhenium and at least two metals selected from the group of molybdenum, bismuth, chromium, iridium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, yttrium, and zirconium, with a metal alloy content of 0 to 0.1 wt% including other elements and compounds. 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 to 75 wt% and all values ​​and ranges in between) of rhenium, and the metal alloy also comprises chromium. In one non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy contains at least 35 wt% rhenium, at least 25 wt% (e.g., 25 to 49.9 wt% and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the metal alloy contains chromium, and optionally, 0.1 to 40 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the metal alloy contains aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, The metal alloy comprises one or more of the following: lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and / or zirconium, and optionally comprises 0–2 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges between them) of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and / or nitrogen. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15–50 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges between them) of rhenium and 0.5–70 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges between them) of chromium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15–50 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges between them) of rhenium and 0.5–70 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges between them) of tantalum.In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15–50 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of rhenium and 0.5–70 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of niobium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15–50 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of rhenium and 0.5–70 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of titanium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15–50 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of rhenium and 0.5–70 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of zirconium. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises 15–50 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of rhenium and 0.5–70 awt.% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of molybdenum. In another non-limiting embodiment, the metal alloy comprises at least 15 wt.% rhenium, more than 50 wt% titanium (e.g., 51–80 wt%, and all values ​​and ranges in between), 15–45 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) niobium, 0–10 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) zirconium, 0–15 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) tantalum, and 0–8 wt% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) molybdenum.

[0015] Several non-limiting examples of metal alloys that can be used to partially or completely form orthopedic medical devices are listed below in weight percentages. Ingredients / Weight % Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 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% Component / weight% Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 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 ~ 52% 0 ~ 50% Os 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% Pt 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% Re 4.5 ~ 98% 4.5 ~ 90% 4.5 ~ 80% 4.5 ~ 70% Rh 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% Si 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% Sn 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% Ta 0 ~ 60% 0 ~ 60% 5 ~ 65% 0 ~ 60% 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 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% Zr 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 20% 5 ~ 20% Component / weight% Example 9 Example 10 Example 11 Example 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% For 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 25% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 98% Nb 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 95% 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 ~ 5% 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% Sn 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Ta 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 98% Tc 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% 0~5% Ti 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 40 ~ 93% 0 ~ 93% V 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 1 ~ 10% 0 ~ 20% W 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 98% Y 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Zr 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Ingredients / Weight % Example 13 Example 14 Example 15 Example 16 Mo 30 ~ 80% 35 ~ 80% 30 ~ 70% 35 ~ 65% Hf 0.8 ~ 1.4% 0 ~ 2% 0 ~ 2.5% 0 ~ 2.5% Re 7 ~ 49% 7 ~ 49% 7 ~ 60% 7.5 ~ 49% Ta 0 ~ 2% 0 ~ 2% 0 ~ 50% 0 ~ 50% W 0 ~ 2% 0 ~ 2% 0 ~ 50% 20 ~ 50% Ingredients / Weight % Example 17 Example 18 Example 10 Example 20 W 20 ~ 93% 60 ~ 92% 20 ~ 75% 5 ~ 98% Re 6 ~ 60% 8 ~ 40% 7.5 ~ 47.5% 0 ~ 80% Mo 0 ~ 47.5% <0.5% 1 ~ 47.5% 0 ~ 80% Ingredients / Weight % Example 21 Example 22 Example 23 Example 24 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 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 Ingredients / Weight % Example 25 Example 26 Example 27 Example 28 Re 5 ~ 60% 5 ~ 60% 5 ~ 60% 5 ~ 60% Mo 15 ~ 55% 15 ~ 55% 15 ~ 55% 15 ~ 55% 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 Y 0 ~ 32 0 ~ 32 1 ~ 42 0 ~ 32 Zr 0 ~ 32 0 ~ 32 0 ~ 32 1 ~ 42 Ingredients / Weight % Example 29 Example 30 Example 31 Example 32 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 ~ 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%. There are 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%. 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%. It is 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 33 Example 34 Example 35 Example 36 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% Os 0 ~ 15% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 5% Cu 0 ~ 15% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 5% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 37 Example 38 Example 39 Example 40 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 ~ 49% 5 ~ 49% 5 ~ 49% 5 ~ 49% 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% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 41 Example 42 Example 43 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% 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% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 44 Example 45 Example 46 Example 47 W 1 ~ 94.9% 1 ~ 94.9% 1 ~ 94.9% 10 ~ 95% Cu 0.1 ~ 94% 0.1 ~ 94% 0.1 ~ 94% 1 ~ 84% 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% 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% ≦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% Zr ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Ag 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Al 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% Ni 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Si 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Ingredients / Weight % Example 48 Example 49 Example 50 W 20 ~ 96% 25 ~ 92% 30 ~ 88% Cu 2 ~ 74% 2 ~ 68% 5 ~ 62% Co ≦0.002% ≦0.002% ≦0.002% Hf 0 ~ 2.5% 0 ~ 2.5% 0 ~ 2.5% Os ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% Mo 0 ~ 3% 0 ~ 2% 0 ~ 1% Nb ≤0.01% ≤0.01% ≤0.01% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 51 Example 52 Example 53 Example 54 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 ~ 40% 0 ~ 40% 0 ~ 40% 0 ~ 40% Ta 0 ~ 50% 0 ~ 50% 0 ~ 50% 0 ~ 50% Ingredients / Weight % Example 55 Example 56 Example 57 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 58 Example 59 Example 60 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% 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% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 61 Example 62 Example 63 Example 64 Ag 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% Al 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 2 ~ 10% B 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 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% La 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% Mo 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 65 Example 66 Example 67 Example 68 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% Day 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% For 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 69 Example 70 Example 71 Example 72 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% Co 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 36 ~ 68% 0 ~ 5% Fe 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 18% 0 ~ 5% Hf 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Ir 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% La 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Mg 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Mn 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Mo 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 20% 0 ~ 12% 0 ~ 5% Nb 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 10% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Ni 30 ~ 58% 0 ~ 10% 9 ~ 36% 0 ~ 5% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 73 Example 74 Example 75 Example 76 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% Day 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% For 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% 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% 0 ~ 8% Y 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 8% Zr 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 8% 0 ~ 8% Ingredients / Weight % Example 77 Example 78 Example 79 Example 80 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% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 81 Example 82 Example 83 Example 84 Ag 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Al 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 5 ~ 7% 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% Ti 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 85 Example 86 Example 87 Example 88 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 ~ 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 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 ~ 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% 1 ~ 15% Tc 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 89 Example 90 Example 91 Example 92 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 ~ 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% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Nb 25 ~ 40% 30 ~ 40% 25 ~ 40% 26 ~ 32% 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 ~ 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 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 93 Example 94 Example 95 Example 96 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% 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% 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% 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% Ingredients / Weight % Example 97 Example 98 Example 99 Example 100 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 ~ 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% 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 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 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% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Y 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Zr 30 ~ 56% 40 ~ 60% 45 ~ 55% 0.25 ~ 45% Ingredients / Weight % Example 101 Example 102 Example 103 Example 104 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 ~ 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% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% 0 ~ 5% Nb 75 ~ 99.5% 95 ~ 99.25% 55 ~ 78.5% 68 ~ 74.25% 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 ~ 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% 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% Element / Weight % Example 105 Example 106 Example 107 Example 108 Re 30~75% 40~75% 45~75% 45~70% Cr 25~70% 25~65% 25~55% 30~55% My 0~25% 0~25% 1~25% 2~25% Be 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% Yes 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%

[0016] In Examples 1-108, it will be understood that all of the above ranges include any value between the above range and any other range between the above ranges. Any of the above values ​​including the ≤ symbol includes the range from 0 to the listed value and all values ​​and ranges in between.

[0017] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an expandable medical device which is at least partially formed of a metal alloy and is radially foldable into a folded or crimped state for introduction into at least a portion of a fractured bone (optionally via a sheath or guidewire), and is configured to be radially expandable into an expanded state for implantation of an expandable medical device at the fracture site of the fractured bone.

[0018] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices are provided that can be optionally coated with polymer materials (e.g., silicone, PTFE, ePTFE, polyurethane, polyolefin, hydrogel, biological materials (e.g., pericardium, or biological polymers such as collagen, gelatin, or hyaluronic acid derivatives)). The coatings can be used to partially or completely encapsulate structures on the expandable medical device and / or to fill openings on the expandable medical device.

[0019] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, an alloy used to form at least a portion of an expandable medical device has one or more improved properties (e.g., strength, durability, hardness, biostability, bendability, coefficient of friction, radial strength, flexibility, tensile strength, tensile elongation, longitudinal elongation, stress-strain properties, reduced recoil, radiopaqueness, thermal sensitivity, biocompatibility, improved fatigue life, crack resistance, crack propagation, reduced magnetic susceptibility, etc.), improved conformability when bent, less recoil, increased yield strength, improved fatigue ductility, improved durability, improved fatigue life, reduced harmful tissue reaction, reduced metal ion emission, reduced corrosion, reduced allergic reaction, improved hydrophilicity, reduced toxicity, reduced thickness of metal components, improved bone fusion, and / or lower ion emission to tissue. These one or more improved physical properties of metal alloys can be achieved in expandable medical devices without increasing the bulk and / or volume of the expandable medical device, and in some cases, these improved physical properties can be obtained even when the volume and / or bulk of the expandable medical device is reduced compared to expandable medical devices formed at least partially from standard stainless steel, standard titanium alloy, or standard cobalt and chromium alloy materials. Therefore, alloys used to form expandable medical devices at least partially will: 1) increase the radiopaqueness of the expandable medical device, 2) increase the radial strength of the expandable medical device, 3) increase the yield strength and / or ultimate tensile strength of the expandable medical device, 4) improve the stress-strain properties of the expandable medical device, 5) improve the compression properties and / or expandability of the expandable medical device, 6) improve the bendability and / or flexibility of the expandable medical device, 7) improve the strength and / or durability of the expandable medical device, 8) increase the hardness of the expandable medical device, 9) improve the recoil properties of the expandable medical device, 10) improve the biostability and / or biocompatibility of the expandable medical device, 11) increase the fatigue resistance of the expandable medical device, and 12) resist cracking and crack propagation of the expandable medical device.13) Enables the fabrication of smaller and / or thinner expandable medical devices, 14) Reduces the outer diameter of crimped expandable medical devices, 15) Improves the fit of expandable medical devices to the shape of the treatment area when the expandable medical device is used and / or expanded in the treatment area, 16) Reduces the amount of recoil of expandable medical devices to the shape of the treatment area when the expandable medical device is expanded in the treatment area, 17) Increases the yield strength of expandable medical devices, 18) Improves the fatigue ductility of expandable medical devices, 18) Improves the durability of expandable medical devices, 19) Improves the fatigue life of expandable medical devices, 20) It is possible to reduce adverse tissue reactions after implantation of the expandable medical device, 21) reduce metal ion release after implantation of the expandable medical device, 22) reduce corrosion of the expandable medical device after implantation, 23) reduce allergic reactions after implantation of the expandable medical device, 24) improve the hydrophilicity of the expandable medical device, 25) reduce the thickness of metal components of the expandable medical device, 26) improve bone healing using the expandable medical device, 27) reduce ion release from the expandable medical device to tissue, 28) reduce the magnetic susceptibility of the expandable medical device when implanted in a patient, and / or 29) reduce the toxicity of the expandable medical device after implantation.

[0020] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, expandable medical devices may be subjected to one or more manufacturing processes of their choice. These manufacturing processes may include, but are not limited to, stretching, laser cutting, etching, crimping, annealing, stretching, Pilger rolling, electroplating, electropolishing, machining, plasma coating, 3D printing coating, chemical vapor deposition, chemical polishing, cleaning, pickling, ion beam deposition or injection, sputter coating, vacuum deposition, and the like.

[0021] According to other and / or alternative embodiments of this disclosure, the metal alloy may optionally contain certain amounts of carbon and oxygen, but this is not required. These two elements are known to influence the formation properties and brittleness of the metal alloy. A controlled atomic ratio of carbon and oxygen in the metal alloy can also minimize the tendency of the metal alloy to form microcracks during the formation of the metal alloy into a frame for expandable medical devices and / or during the use and / or expansion of the frame for expandable medical devices in the body. 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 in between). In one non-limiting formulation, the atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen in the metal alloy is generally at least about 0.3:1. Typically, the carbon content of the metal alloy is less than about 0.1 wt% (e.g., 0 to 0.0999999 wt% and all values ​​and ranges in between), and more typically 0 to 0.01 wt%. If the carbon content is too high, it can negatively affect the physical properties of the metal alloy. Generally, the oxygen content should be kept at a very low level. In one non-limiting formulation, the oxygen content is less than about 0.1 wt% of the metal alloy (e.g., 0 to 0.0999999 wt% and all values ​​and ranges in between), and typically 0 to 0.01 wt%.

[0022] According to other and / or alternative aspects of this disclosure, the metal alloy may optionally contain a controlled amount of nitrogen, but this is not required. A large amount of nitrogen in the metal alloy may adversely affect the ductility of the metal alloy. This may also adversely affect the elongation properties of the metal alloy. In one non-limiting formulation, the metal alloy contains less than about 0.001 wt% of nitrogen (e.g., 0 wt% to 0.0009999 wt% and all values ​​and ranges in between). The nitrogen content is considered to be less than the carbon or oxygen content in the metal alloy. In one non-limiting formulation, the atomic ratio of carbon to nitrogen is at least about 1.5:1 (e.g., 1.5:1 to 400:1 and all values ​​and ranges in between). In another non-limiting formulation, the atomic ratio of oxygen to nitrogen is at least about 1.2:1 (e.g., 1.2:1 to 150:1 and all values ​​and ranges in between).

[0023] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, expandable medical devices are generally designed to contain at least about 5 wt% of a metal alloy (e.g., 5 to 100 wt% and all values ​​and ranges in between).

[0024] According to other and / or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, a metal alloy used to form all or part of an expandable medical device is either 1) not clad, metal coated, metal sprayed, plated and / or formed (e.g., cold-worked, hot-worked, etc.) on another metal, or 2) not metal sprayed, coated, plated, clad and / or formed on the metal alloy. In some applications, it will be understood that the metal alloys of the present disclosure may be clad, metal sprayed, coated, plated and / or formed on another metal, or that another metal or metal alloy may be plated, metal sprayed, coated, clad and / or formed on the metal alloy when forming all or part of an expandable medical device.

[0025] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, a metal alloy can be used to a) coat all or part of an expandable medical device (e.g., cladding, dip coating, spray coating, plating coating, weld coating, plasma coating, etc.), or b) form part or all of the core of an expandable medical device. The composition of the coating is different from the composition of the material surface to which the metal alloy is coated. The coating thickness of the metal alloy is non-limiting (e.g., 1 μm to 1 inch, and all values ​​and ranges in between). In one non-limiting example, an expandable medical device is provided in which the core or base layer of the expandable medical device is formed of a 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, heat-resistant metal alloy, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, etc.) or a polymer or ceramic or composite material, and other layers of the coated expandable medical device are formed of different metals or metal alloys. The core or base layer and other layers of an expandable medical device can each form 10–99% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the entire cross-section of the expandable medical device. If the outer metal coating is a rhenium-containing alloy, such a rhenium alloy can be used to form a hard surface at specific locations and across the entire surface of the expandable medical device. In another non-limiting embodiment, the core or base layer of the expandable medical device may be formed of a rhenium-containing alloy, and the coating layer may include 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, heat-resistant metal alloy, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, etc.], polymer coating, ceramic coating, composite material coating, etc.).Non-limiting advantages of using rhenium-containing alloys in the core or inner layers of expandable medical devices include reducing the size of the expandable medical device, increasing its strength, and / or maintaining or reducing its cost. As can be understood, the use of rhenium-containing alloys may bring other or additional advantages. The size and / or thickness of the core or base layer of a metal alloy is non-limiting. In one non-limiting example, an expandable medical device is provided which is formed at least partially from a layered material, where the top layer is formed from a different material from one or more other layers, and the rhenium-containing alloy forms one of the layers below the top layer, and the top layer is formed from a different metal (e.g., chromium alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, iron alloy, CoCr alloy, rhenium alloy, molybdenum alloy, tungsten alloy, Ta-W alloy, heat-resistant metal alloy, MoTa alloy, MoRe alloy, etc.). The core or lower or base layer and the outer layer of a layered material can each form 10–99% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the entire cross-section of the layered material.

[0026] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, the expandable medical device may optionally be formed into a shape that is at least 80% (e.g., 80-100% and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the final net shape of the expandable medical device.

[0027] In other and / or alternative non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure, the mean tensile elongation of the metal alloy used to form at least partially an expandable medical device is, optionally, at least about 20% (e.g., mean tensile elongation of 20–50%, as well as all values ​​and ranges in between). A mean tensile elongation of at least 20% of the metal alloy is useful in facilitating the proper expansion of the expandable medical device when positioned in a therapeutic area of ​​the body. The desired tensile elongation can be obtained from a unique combination of metals in the metal alloy, in combination with achieving a desired purity and composition of the alloy as well as a desired grain size of the metal alloy.

[0028] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, the metal alloy is optionally, but not required, formed at least partially by a swaging process. In one non-limiting embodiment, swaging is performed on the metal alloy to achieve at least partially or completely the final dimensions of one or more parts of an expandable medical device. The swaging die can be, but not required, shaped to conform to the final dimensions of the expandable medical device.

[0029] According to other and / or alternative embodiments of this disclosure, the metal alloy may optionally be nitrided, but this is not required. The nitrided layer on the metal alloy may act as a lubricating surface during the optional stretching of the metal alloy when partially or completely forming an expandable medical device.

[0030] According to other and / or alternative non-limiting aspects of this disclosure, expandable medical devices may optionally be partially (e.g., 1% to 99.99% and all values ​​and ranges in between) or completely coated with one or more agents and / or contain one or more agents. The term "agent" includes, but is not limited to, substances, pharmaceuticals, biological and veterinary products, drugs, and analogues or derivatives that are otherwise formulated and / or designed to prevent, inhibit and / or treat and / or promote the healing of one or more clinical and / or biological events. Non-exclusive examples of clinical events that can be addressed by one or more drugs include, but are not limited to, viral infections, fungal infections and / or bacterial infections; vascular diseases and / or vascular disorders; lymphatic diseases and / or lymphatic disorders; cancer; transplant rejection; pain; nausea; swelling; organ failure; immune disorders and / or immune disorders; cell proliferation inhibitors, hematological disorders and / or hematological disorders; heart diseases and / or heart disorders; neuralgia disorders and / or neuralgia disorders; fatigue; genetic disorders and / or genetic disorders; trauma; seizures; muscle spasms; tissue repair; nerve repair; and nerve regeneration. The types and / or amounts of drugs coated and contained on expandable medical devices may vary. According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, one or more parts of an expandable medical device may optionally include: 1) containing the same or different agents; 2) containing the same or different amounts of one or more agents; 3) containing the same or different polymer coatings; 4) containing one or more polymer coatings of the same or different coating thicknesses; 5) controllingly and / or uncontrollably releasing one or more agents from one or more parts of the expandable medical device; and / or 6) controllingly releasing one or more agents from one or more parts of the expandable medical device and uncontrollably releasing one or more agents from one or more parts of the expandable medical device.

[0031] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, one or more surfaces of an expandable medical device can be optionally treated to achieve desired coating properties of one or more agents and one or more polymers coated on the expandable medical device. Such surface treatment techniques include, but are not limited to, cleaning, buffing, smoothing, nitriding, annealing, swaging, cold working, and etching (chemical etching, plasma etching, etc.). As can be understood, other or additional surface treatment processes may be used before coating one or more agents and / or polymers onto the surface of the expandable medical device.

[0032] In other and / or alternative non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure, the expandable medical device may optionally include a marker material that facilitates the proper positioning of the expandable medical device within a body 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.).

[0033] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, an expandable medical device or one or more areas of an expandable medical device may be constructed by the use of one or more micro-electromechanical manufacturing (MEMS) technologies (e.g., micromachining, laser micromachining, micromolding, etc.), but other or additional manufacturing technologies may be used.

[0034] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, the expandable medical device may optionally include one or more surface structures (e.g., pores, channels, pits, ribs, slots, notches, bumps, teeth, needles, wells, holes, grooves, etc.). These structures may be formed at least partially by MEMS (e.g., micromachining, etc.) technology and / or other types of technology. In one non-limiting embodiment, the outer surface of at least a portion of the expandable medical device includes a plurality of ribs, bumps, teeth, and / or grooves used to engage with the inner surface of the intramedullary canal of fractured bone, in order to facilitate anchoring at least a portion of the expandable medical device within the intramedullary canal when the expandable medical device is expanded within the intramedullary canal.

[0035] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, an expandable medical device may optionally include one or more microstructures on the surface of the expandable medical device (e.g., microneedles, micropores, microcylinders, microcones, micropyramids, microtubes, microparallelohedrons, microprisms, microhemispheries, teeth, ribs, ridges, ratchets, hinges, zippers, zip-tie-like structures, etc.). As defined herein, “microstructure” is a structure having at least one dimension (e.g., average width, average diameter, average height, average length, average depth, etc.) that is about 2 mm or less and typically about 1 mm or less.

[0036] In other and / or alternative aspects of this disclosure, the expandable medical device may optionally be an expandable device that can be expanded by the use of several other devices (e.g., balloons). The expandable medical device may be manufactured from a material that does not have or substantially has shape memory properties.

[0037] According to another and / or alternative aspect of the present disclosure, a near-net process for expandable medical devices is optionally provided. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided for powder pressurizing a material and increasing its strength after sintering by adding additional cold working. In one non-limiting embodiment, a green body is pressurized and then sintered. The sintered portion is then pressurized again, and its mechanical strength is increased by applying cold working to the pressurized and sintered portion.

[0038] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, a metal alloy used to form at least partially an expandable medical device is first formed into a blank, rod, tube, etc., and then finished to a final form by one or more finishing processes. The metal alloy blank, rod, tube, etc. can be formed by a variety of techniques, including, but are not limited to, 1) melting the metal alloy and / or the metal forming the metal alloy (e.g., vacuum arc melting), and then extruding and / or casting the metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc.; 2) melting the metal alloy and / or the metal forming the metal alloy to form a metal strip, and then rolling and welding the strip into a blank, rod, tube, etc.; 3) compacting the metal powder of the metal alloy and / or the metal powder of the metal forming the metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc.; or 4) 3D printing the metal powder of the metal alloy and / or the metal powder of the metal forming the metal alloy into a blank, rod, tube, etc. The shape and size of the blank are not limited when the metal alloy is formed into a blank.

[0039] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, when metal powders are compacted to form a metal alloy into blanks, rods, tubes, etc., the metal powders are pressurized together to form a solid solution of the metal alloy into a near-net expandable medical device, a near-net component of an expandable medical device, a blank, rod, tube, etc. Typically, the pressurization process is by isostatic process (i.e., uniform pressure is applied from all sides of the metal powder), but other processes may also be used. When metal powders are pressurized together isotropically, cold isotropic pressurization (CIP) is typically used to solidify the metal powders. However, this is not required. The pressurization process can be carried out in an inert atmosphere, an oxygen-reduced atmosphere (e.g., a mixture of hydrogen, argon, and hydrogen) and / or under vacuum, but this is not required.

[0040] According to another and / or alternative aspect of this disclosure, when the metal powder is used for 3D printing expandable medical devices, components of expandable medical devices, blanks, rods, tubes, etc., the average particle size of the metal powder is optionally 2 to 62 microns, and more specifically about 5 to 49.9 microns, and the average density of the metal powder is 5 g / cm³ 3 The metal powder is larger than the specified size, is generally spherical, and the whole flow (s / 50g) is less than 30 seconds (e.g., 2 to 29.99 seconds, as well as all values ​​and ranges in between).

[0041] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of this disclosure, expandable medical devices may be partially (e.g., 1% to 99.99% and all values ​​and ranges in between) or completely coated with a reinforcing coating to improve one or more properties of the expandable medical device (e.g., changing the appearance color of the material having a coated surface, increasing the surface hardness of the material having a coated surface, increasing the surface toughness of the material having a coated surface, reducing friction of the material having a coated surface, improving the scratch resistance of the material having a coated surface, improving the impact abrasion of the coated surface, improving the resistance of the coated material to corrosion and oxidation, forming a non-adherent coated surface, improving the biocompatibility of the material having a coated surface, reducing the toxicity of the material having a coated surface, reducing ion emission from the material having a coated surface, the reinforcing coating forming a less irritating surface to cells around the coated surface after the expandable medical device has been implanted, etc.). Non-limiting reinforcing coatings that can be applied to part or all of an expandable medical device include chromium nitride (CrN), diamond-like carbon (DLC), titanium nitride (TiN), titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx), zirconium nitride (ZrN), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC), zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC), zirconium oxynitride (ZnNxOy) [e.g., cubic ZrN:O, cubic ZrO2:N, tetragonal ZrO2:N, and monoclinic ZrO2:N phase coatings], and combinations of such coatings. In one non-limiting embodiment, one or more reinforcing coatings are optionally applied to part or all of an expandable medical device by a vacuum process that uses an energy source to evaporate the material and deposit a thin layer of the reinforcing coating material. Such vacuum coating processes, when used, may include physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes (e.g., sputter deposition, cathode arc deposition, or electron beam heating), chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes, atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes, or plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) processes.In one non-limiting embodiment, the coating process is one or more of PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD, and the coating process is carried out at a temperature of 200–400°C (and all values ​​and ranges in between) for at least 10 minutes (e.g., 10–400 minutes and all values ​​and ranges in between). In another non-limiting embodiment, the coating process is one or more of PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD, and the coating process is carried out at a temperature of 220–300°C for 60–120 minutes. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, if one or more reinforcing coating materials are applied to the outer surface of an expandable medical device formed partially or entirely of a metallic alloy, the one or more reinforcing coating materials may optionally be combined with one or more metals in the metallic alloy and / or in combination with nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, or other elements present in and / or in the atmosphere around the metallic alloy to form a reinforcing coating on the outer surface of the metallic alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment, when one or more reinforcing coating materials are applied to the outer surface of an expandable medical device formed partially or entirely of a metal alloy, the one or more reinforcing coating materials can optionally be used to form a variety of coating colors (e.g., gold, copper, brass, black, rose gold, chromium, blue, silver, yellow, green, etc.) on the outer surface of the metal alloy. In another non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the reinforcing coating is greater than 1 nanometer (e.g., 2 nanometers to 100 microns, and all values ​​and ranges in between), and typically 0.1 to 25 microns, and more typically 0.2 to 10 microns. In another non-limiting embodiment, the hardness of the reinforcing coating can be at least 5 GPa (ASTM C1327-15 or ASTM C1624-05), typically 5 to 50 GPa (and all values ​​and ranges in between), more typically 10 to 25 GPa, and even more typically 14 to 24 GPa. In another non-limiting embodiment, the coefficient of friction (COF) of the reinforced coating can be 0.04 to 0.2 (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and typically 0.6 to 0.15.In another non-limiting embodiment, the wear rate of the reinforcing coating is 0.5×10. -7 mm 3 / N·m to 3×10 -7 mm 3 / N·m (all values and ranges therebetween), and typically 1.2×10 -7 mm 3 / N·m to 2×10 -7 mm 3 / N·m. In another non-limiting embodiment, silicon-based precursors (e.g., trimethylsilane, tetramethylsilane, hexachlorodisilane, silane, dichlorosilane, trichlorosilane, silicon tetrachloride, tris(dimethylamino)silane, bis(tert-butylamino)silane, trisilylamine, allyltrimethoxysilane, (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, butyltrichlorosilane, n-sec-butyl(trimethylsilyl)amine, chloropentamethyldisilane, 1,2-dichlorotetramethyldisilane, [3-(diethylamino)propyl]trimethoxysilane, 1,3-diethyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane, dimethoxydimethylsilane, dodecamethylcyclohexasilane, hexamethyldisilane, iso-butyl(trimethoxy)silane, methyltrichlorosilane, 2,4,6,8,10-pentamethylcyclopentasiloxane, pentamethyldisilane, n-propyltriethoxysilane, silicon tetrabromide, silicon tetrabromide, etc.) can optionally be used to facilitate application of the reinforcing coating to one or more portions or all of an expandable medical device.

[0042] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices may be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising a chromium nitride (CrN) coating. Parts or all of an expandable medical device may be partially or completely coated with a chromium nitride (CrN) coating. The reinforcing coating can be used to improve hardness, improve toughness, reduce friction, resist impact wear, improve resistance to corrosion and oxidation, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. According to one non-limiting embodiment, a chromium nitride (CrN) coating generally comprises 40–85 wt% Cr (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 15–60 wt% N (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–10 wt% Re (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–10 wt% Si (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–2 wt% O (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and 0–2 wt% C (and all values ​​and ranges in between). In one non-limiting coating process, all or part of an expandable medical device is first coated with Cr metal. The Cr metal coating can be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD in an inert environment. The thickness of the Cr metal coating is 0.5 to 15 microns. Subsequently, the Cr metal coating is exposed to nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gas compounds to react the nitrogen with the Cr metal coating, forming a layer of CrN on the outer surface of the Cr metal coating and / or the outer surface of the expandable medical device. Cr metal particles can optionally be mixed with nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gas compounds to facilitate the formation of the CrN coating. If Cr metal particles are used, the initial Cr coating layer on the expandable medical device can optionally be eliminated. In another non-limiting embodiment, the reinforced coating composition generally contains 65 to 80% by weight of Cr, 15 to 30% by weight of N, 0 to 8% by weight of Re, 0 to 1% by weight of Si, 0 to 1% by weight of O, and 0 to 1% by weight of C.

[0043] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices may be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. Parts or all of an expandable medical device may be partially or completely coated with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. The reinforcing coating can be used to improve hardness, improve toughness, reduce friction, resist impact abrasion, improve resistance to corrosion and oxidation, improve biocompatibility, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. In one non-limiting embodiment, the diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating generally comprises 60–99.99% by weight of C (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–2% by weight of N (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–10% by weight of Re (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–20% by weight of Si (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and 0–2% by weight of O (and all values ​​and ranges in between). Carbon coatings can be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD in an inert environment. The carbon layer can be applied using methane and / or acetylene gas, but other or additional carbon sources can be used. The carbon coating thickness is 0.5 to 15 microns. In another non-limiting embodiment, all or part of an expandable medical device is generally coated with a reinforced coating composition containing 90 to 99.99% by weight of C, 0 to 1% by weight of N, 0 to 8% by weight of Re, 0 to 1% by weight of Si, and 0 to 1% by weight of O.

[0044] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of this disclosure, expandable medical devices may be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising a titanium nitride (TiN) coating. Partial or all of the outer surface of an expandable medical device may include a titanium nitride (TiN) coating. Reinforcing coatings can be used to improve hardness, toughness, resistance to corrosion and oxidation, reduce friction, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. In one non-limiting embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of an expandable medical device is optionally first coated with Ti metal. The Ti metal coating may be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD in an inert environment, if applicable. The thickness of the Ti metal coating is 0.05 to 15 microns (and all values ​​and ranges in between). As can be understood, the initial Ti coating is optional. Subsequently, the Ti metal coating, if applied, is exposed to nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gaseous compounds and optionally titanium particles to react the nitrogen with the Ti metal coating and / or titanium metal particles, forming a TiN layer on the outer surface of the Ti metal coating and / or the outer surface of the expandable medical device. If the titanium layer is not pre-applied, the TiN coating can be formed by exposing the expandable medical device to titanium particles and nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gaseous compounds. The coating thickness of the TiN coating is generally 0.1 to 15 microns (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and typically 0.2 to 2 microns.

[0045] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of this disclosure, expandable medical devices may be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising a titanium nitride (TiNOx) coating. Partial or all of the outer surface of an expandable medical device may include a titanium nitride (TiNOx) coating. Reinforcing coatings can be used to improve hardness, toughness, resistance to corrosion and oxidation, reduce friction, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. In one non-limiting embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of an expandable medical device is optionally first coated with Ti metal. The Ti metal coating may be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD in an inert environment, if applicable. The thickness of the Ti metal coating is 0.05 to 15 microns (and all values ​​and ranges in between). As can be understood, the initial Ti coating is optional. Subsequently, the Ti metal coating is exposed to titanium particles and a nitrogen and oxygen mixture, which may include nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen-containing gas compounds, and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds, to react the nitrogen and oxygen with the Ti metal coating (if such a coating is used) and / or with the Ti metal particles, forming a TiNOx layer on the outer surface of the Ti metal coating and / or the outer surface of the expandable medical device. The N to O ratio can be varied to control the amount of O in the TiNOx coating. If the titanium layer is not pre-applied, the TiNOx coating can be formed by exposing the expandable medical device to titanium particles and a nitrogen and oxygen source such as nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen-containing gas compounds, and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds. The N to O ratio when forming the TiNOx coating is generally 1:10 to 10:1 (and all values ​​and ranges in between). The coating thickness of the TiNOx coating is generally 0.1 to 15 microns (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and typically 0.2 to 2 microns.In another non-limiting embodiment, the TiNOx coating is applied to part or all of the outer surface of an expandable medical device, and the TiNOx coating is formed by a) exposing the outer surface of all parts of the expandable medical device to Ti particles (PVD, CVD, ALD and PE-CVD processes) and / or a Ti-containing solution to form a Ti layer on all parts of the expandable medical device, with a Ti coating thickness of 0.05 to 5 microns, or b) exposing the Ti coating to a nitrogen and oxygen source such as nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen-containing gas compounds and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds to form a TiNOx coating, with an N to O ratio when forming the TiNOx coating generally being 1:10 to 10:1, and a coating thickness of the TiNOx coating being 0.2 to 5 microns. In another non-limiting embodiment, the TiNOx coating is applied to a portion or all of the outer surface of an expandable medical device, and the TiNOx coating is formed by exposing a portion or all of the outer surface of the expandable medical device to Ti particles and a nitrogen and oxygen source, such as nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen-containing gas compounds and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds, to form the TiNOx coating, the N to O ratio when forming the TiNOx coating is generally 1:10 to 10:1, and the coating thickness of the TiNOx coating is 0.2 to 5 microns. In another non-limiting embodiment, the reinforcing coating composition generally comprises 20 to 85 wt% Ti (and all values ​​and ranges therein), 0.5 to 35 wt% N (and all values ​​and ranges therein), 0 to 10 wt% Re (and all values ​​and ranges therein), and 0.5 to 35 wt% O (and all values ​​and ranges therein). In another non-limiting embodiment, the TiNOx coating is formed on an expandable medical device by reactive physical vapor deposition in a vacuum chamber. Depending on the oxygen-nitrogen ratio during deposition, TiNOx coating deposits with a specified composition and resistivity can be coated onto the outer surface of an expandable medical device.

[0046] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices may be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising a zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating. The reinforcing coating can be used to improve hardness, toughness, resistance to corrosion and oxidation, reduce friction, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. In one non-limiting embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of the expandable medical device is first coated with Zr metal. The Zr metal coating can be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD in an inert environment. The thickness of the Zr metal coating is 0.5 to 15 microns. The Zr metal coating is then exposed to nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gas compounds to react the nitrogen with the Zr metal coating, forming a layer of ZrN on the outer surface of the Zr metal coating and / or the outer surface of the expandable medical device. Zr metal particles may optionally be mixed with nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gas compounds to facilitate the formation of the ZrN coating. When Zr metal particles are used, the initial Zr coating layer on the expandable medical device can be optionally eliminated. ZrN coatings have been found to produce a golden-colored reinforced coating. In another non-limiting embodiment, the reinforced coating composition generally comprises 35–90 wt% Zr (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 5–25 wt% N (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–10 wt% Re (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–20 wt% Si (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–2 wt% O (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and 0–2 wt% C (and all values ​​and ranges in between). In another non-limiting embodiment, the reinforced coating composition generally comprises 80–90 wt% Zr, 10–20 wt% N, 0–8 wt% Re, 0–1 wt% Si, 0–1 wt% O, and 0–1 wt% C.

[0047] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices can be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising a zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating. The reinforcing coating can be used to improve hardness, improve toughness, improve resistance to corrosion and oxidation, reduce friction, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. In one non-limiting embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of the expandable medical device is first coated with Zr metal. The Zr metal coating can be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD in an inert environment. The thickness of the Zr metal coating is 0.5 to 15 microns. The Zr metal coating is then exposed to oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds to react the oxygen with the Zr metal coating, forming a layer of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) on the outer surface of the Zr metal coating and / or the outer surface of the expandable medical device. Zr metal particles can optionally be mixed with oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds to facilitate the formation of the ZrO2 coating. When Zr metal particles are used, the initial Zr coating layer on the expandable medical device can be optionally eliminated. Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coatings have been found to produce a blue enhanced coating color. In another non-limiting embodiment, the enhanced coating composition generally comprises 35–90 wt% Zr (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 10–35 wt% O (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–2 wt% N (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–10 wt% Re (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–20 wt% Si (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and 0–2 wt% C (and all values ​​and ranges in between). In another non-limiting embodiment, the enhanced coating composition generally comprises 70–80 wt% Zr, 20–30 wt% 0–1 wt% N, 0–8 wt% Re, 0–1 wt% Si, and 0–1 wt% C.

[0048] According to other and / or alternative non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices can be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising both zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coatings and zirconium nitride (ZrN) coatings. The reinforcing coatings can be used to improve hardness, improve toughness, improve resistance to corrosion and oxidation, reduce friction, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. In one non-limiting embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of a metal alloy is first coated with Zr metal. The Zr metal coating can be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD and PE-CVD in an inert environment. The thickness of the Zr metal coating is 0.5 to 15 microns. The Zr metal coating is then exposed to a) both oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds and nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gas compounds, b) nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gas compounds followed by oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds, or c) oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds followed by nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gas compounds. The coating compositions of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coatings and zirconium nitride (ZrN) coatings are similar to or the same as those discussed above. As discussed above, Zr metal particles can be optionally mixed with oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds to facilitate the formation of ZrO2 coatings, and with nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen gas-containing compounds to facilitate the formation of ZrN coatings. When Zr metal particles are used, the initial Zr coating layer on the expandable medical device can be optionally eliminated.

[0049] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices can be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising a zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating. The reinforcing coating can be used to improve hardness, improve toughness, improve resistance to corrosion and oxidation, reduce friction, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. In one non-limiting embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of a metal alloy is first coated with Zr metal. The Zr metal coating can be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD and PE-CVD in an inert environment. The thickness of the Zr metal coating is 0.5 to 15 microns. The Zr metal coating is then exposed to a) both oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds and carbon and / or carbon-containing gas compounds (e.g., methane and / or acetylene gas), b) carbon and / or carbon-containing gas compounds followed by oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds, or c) oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds followed by carbon and / or carbon-containing gas compounds. Zr metal particles can be optionally mixed with oxygen gas and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds and carbon and / or carbon-containing gas compounds to facilitate the formation of a zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating. When Zr metal particles are used, the initial Zr coating layer on the expandable medical device can be optionally eliminated. In another non-limiting embodiment, the reinforced coating composition generally comprises 40–95 wt% Zr (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 5–25 wt% O (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 10–40 wt% C (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–2 wt% N (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–10 wt% Re (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and 0–20 wt% Si (and all values ​​and ranges in between).In another non-limiting embodiment, the reinforcing coating composition generally comprises 40-65% by weight of Zr, 5-25% by weight of O, 25-40% by weight of C, 0-1% by weight of N, 0-8% by weight of Re, and 0-1% by weight of Si.

[0050] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, one or more components of an expandable medical device may be partially or completely coated with a reinforcing coating composition comprising zirconium oxynitride (ZnNxOy) [e.g., cubic ZrN:O, cubic ZrO2:N, tetragonal ZrO2:N, and monoclinic ZrO2:N phase coatings]. Part or all of the outer surface of one or more components of an expandable medical device may contain zirconium oxynitride (ZnNxOy). The reinforcing coating can be used to improve hardness, improve toughness, improve resistance to corrosion and oxidation, reduce friction, form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials, and / or promote nitric oxide formation on the surface of the coating. In one non-limiting embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of one or more components of an expandable medical device may be optionally first coated with Zr metal. The Zr metal coating may be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD in an inert environment, if applicable. The coating thickness of the Zr metal is 0.05 to 15 microns (and all values ​​and ranges in between). As can be understood, the initial Zr coating is optional. Subsequently, the Zr metal coating is exposed to zirconium particles and a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, which may include nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen-containing gas compounds and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds, to react the nitrogen and oxygen with the Zr metal coating, if a Zr metal coating is used, and / or with the Zr metal particles, thereby forming a layer of ZnNxOy on the outer surface of the Zr metal coating and / or on the outer surface of one or more components of the expandable medical device. The N to O ratio can be varied to control the proportion of O and N in the ZrNxOy coating. If the zirconium layer is not pre-applied, the ZrNxOy coating can be formed on the outer surface of one or more components of the expandable medical device by exposing zirconium particles and a nitrogen and oxygen source such as nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen-containing gas compounds and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds.The N-to-O ratio when forming a ZrNxOy coating is generally 1:10 to 10:1 (and all values ​​and ranges in between). The coating thickness of a ZrNxOy coating is generally 0.1 to 15 microns (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and typically 0.2 to 2 microns. In another non-limiting embodiment, the ZrNxOy coating is applied to part or all of the outer surface of one or more components of an expandable medical device, wherein the ZrNxOy coating is formed by a) exposing the outer surface of all parts of one or more components of the expandable medical device to Zr particles (PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD processes) and / or a Zr-containing solution to form a Zr layer on all parts of one or more components of the expandable medical device, with a Zr coating thickness of 0.05 to 5 microns, or b) exposing the Zr coating to a nitrogen and oxygen source such as nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen-containing gas compounds, and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds to form the ZrNxOy coating, where the N to O ratio when forming the ZrNxOy coating is generally 1:10 to 10:1, and the coating thickness of the ZrNxOy coating is 0.2 to 5 microns. In another non-limiting embodiment, the ZrNxOy coating is applied to part or all of the outer surface of one or more components of an expandable medical device, and the ZrNxOy coating is formed by exposing part or all of the outer surface of one or more components of the expandable medical device to Zr particles and a nitrogen and oxygen source such as nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen-containing gas compounds and / or oxygen-containing gas compounds, the N to O ratio when forming the ZrNxOy coating is generally 1:10 to 10:1, and the coating thickness of the ZrNxOy coating is 0.2 to 5 microns. In another non-limiting embodiment, the reinforcing coating composition generally comprises 20 to 85 wt% Zr (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0.5 to 35 wt% N (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and 0.5 to 35 wt% O (and all values ​​and ranges in between).In another non-limiting embodiment, a ZrNxOy coating was formed on one or more components of an expandable medical device by reactive physical vapor deposition in a vacuum chamber. Depending on the oxygen-nitrogen ratio during deposition, a ZrNxOy coating deposit with a specified composition and resistivity can be coated onto the outer surface of one or more components of an expandable medical device.

[0051] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of this disclosure, expandable medical devices can be partially or completely coated with a reinforced coating composition comprising a zirconium-nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating. The reinforced coating can be used to improve hardness, improve toughness, improve resistance to corrosion and oxidation, reduce friction, and / or form a reduced adhesion surface when in contact with many different materials. In one non-limiting embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of the expandable medical device is first coated with Zr metal. The Zr metal coating can be applied by PVD, CVD, ALD, and PE-CVD in an inert environment. The thickness of the Zr metal coating is 0.5 to 15 microns. The Zr metal coating is then exposed to nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gaseous compounds, and then to carbon and / or carbon-containing gaseous compounds (e.g., methane and / or acetylene gas). The color of the ZrNC varies depending on the amount of C and N in the coating. Zr metal particles can be optionally mixed with nitrogen gas and / or nitrogen-containing gas compounds and carbon and / or carbon-containing gas compounds to facilitate the formation of a ZrNC coating. When Zr metal particles are used, the initial Zr coating layer on the expandable medical device can be optionally eliminated. In one non-limiting embodiment, the reinforced coating composition generally comprises 40–95 wt% Zr (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 5–40 wt% N (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 5–40 wt% C (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–2 wt% O (and all values ​​and ranges in between), 0–10 wt% Re (and all values ​​and ranges in between), and 0–20 wt% Si (and all values ​​and ranges in between). In another non-limiting embodiment, the reinforcing coating composition generally comprises 40-80% by weight of Zr, 5-25% by weight of N, 5-25% by weight of C, 0-1% by weight of O, 0-8% by weight of Re, and 0-1% by weight of Si.

[0052] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, an expandable medical device is configured to be positioned at least partially or completely within the intramedullary canal of bone. The expandable medical device is configured to be radially collapsible into a folded or crimped state for introduction into the intramedullary canal of bone, and radially expandable into an expanded state for implantation of the expandable medical device at a desired location within the intramedullary canal of bone. Once positioned at a desired location within the intramedullary canal of bone, the expandable medical device is formed of a plastically expandable material that allows the expandable medical device to be crimped into a smaller profile for delivery and expansion of the expandable medical device. Expansion of the crimped frame of the expandable medical device may be by an expansion device such as a balloon on a balloon catheter, but is not limited to this. While inserting the expandable medical device into the intramedullary canal of bone, the expandable medical device may optionally be at least partially surrounded by a flexible sheath. While inserting the expandable medical device into the intramedullary canal of bone, the expandable medical device may optionally be at least partially guided into the intramedullary canal by a guidewire. Before, during, and / or after the expandable medical device is at least partially positioned within the intramedullary canal of the bone, a portion or all of the intramedullary canal containing the expandable medical device may optionally be filled with a column of surgical fluid (e.g., polymer cement, resin, etc.). The expandable medical device is configured to straddle the fracture site of the bone. The expandable medical device may optionally be introduced into the intramedullary canal of the bone through a skin incision and an opening or fissure in the fractured bone, along a path that can align with the longitudinal axis of the intramedullary canal of the bone. Once the expandable medical device is properly positioned within the bone, cement, adhesive, or other surgical fluid may optionally be used to fix and stabilize the expandable medical device at the fracture site. While expandable medical devices can be used for the fixation and stabilization of long bone fractures, they can also be used for the fixation and stabilization of other bones and structures.In another non-limiting embodiment, the expandable medical device may be configured to compress or otherwise engage with the endosteal surface inside the bone. The expandable medical device can be used to assist in moving and / or aligning one or more bone fragments during its placement and expansion. Reintegration of bone fragments by the expandable medical device can be used to facilitate the fracture healing process. The expandable medical device can optionally be used to a) assist in the reduction of a fracture by applying outward force and pressure from within the intramedullary canal of the fractured bone, and / or b) to facilitate the movement or alignment of one or more bone fragments of the fractured bone to a more beneficial or desired position.

[0053] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, expandable medical devices can be a) expanded with sufficient force to facilitate the movement and repositioning of one or more fragments of a fractured bone that have been pushed into or otherwise penetrated within the intramedullary canal (e.g., used to drive such fragments radially outward and generally toward a position more aligned with the opposing fracture ends, thereby facilitating the reintegration of the fragments during the fracture healing process), b) expanded to fill gaps or spaces in or near the fracture site between the cortical bone wall or endosteum (e.g., if one or more fragments have been separated from the fracture site and are not compressed, aligned, or otherwise returned near the fracture site, the expandable medical device can be configured to expand to fill the space occupied by the missing fragment, and / or c) sized and molded to provide support to the fracture site without requiring additional structures (e.g., a sheath, surgical fluid, etc.).

[0054] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the expandable medical device may optionally include one or more gripping members disposed on or along the outer surface of the expandable medical device to provide secure attachment to the inner wall of the intramedullary canal of bone.

[0055] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of this disclosure, expandable medical devices offer the following advantages: a) minimally invasive (e.g., 1-3 mm puncture for upper limbs, 2-6 mm puncture for lower limbs), b) no screws or plates that may collide with tendons, muscles, etc., c) complete internal fixation within the bone, d) preservation of bone marrow essential for healing, e) the insertion sheath for the expandable medical device allows for easy outflow of bone marrow for extrusion and can be reinjected into the bone after the expandable medical device has been inserted into the bone, f) reduced risk of pulmonary embolism due to bone marrow embolization, g) the expandable medical device may be designed to shorten to form an internal mechanism for fracture reduction / compression during expansion of the expandable medical device, h) the end of the expandable medical device may be expanded first before the middle portion of the expandable medical device is fully expanded. i) The end can be fixed into the bone, and expansion of the middle portion of the expandable medical device causes longitudinal compression of the fractured bone by shortening of the expandable medical device during expansion of the middle portion of the expandable medical device, i) no screws are required to anchor the end of the expandable medical device into the bone during expansion of the expandable medical device into the bone (for example, a typical balloon pressure is 10-20 atmospheres-150-300 pounds / square inch when expanding the expandable medical device, and therefore such expansion force should fix the end of the expandable medical device into the bone without the need for screws, although screws can still be used if necessary, and / or j) the expandable medical device has one or more of the following:

[0056] According to another and / or alternative non-limiting aspect of this disclosure, a second expandable medical device may be optionally inserted inside a first expanded expandable medical device to increase the strength and / or stiffness of the expandable medical device system in a fracture. For example, the first expandable medical device may be inserted into the fracture site and expanded. The second expandable medical device may then be optionally inserted partially or completely inside a portion or all of the expanded first expandable medical device. Generally, the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable medical device is shorter than the longitudinal length of the expanded first expandable medical device (e.g., less than 20-80% and all values ​​and ranges in between), but this is not mandatory. After the second expandable medical device has been partially or completely inserted into a portion or all of the expanded first expandable medical device and subsequently expanded, the expanded second expandable medical device generally expands the length of the fracture site. The second expandable medical device may be configured such that a) when expanded, the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable medical device is shortened to at least 15% shorter (e.g., 15 to less than 60% and all values ​​and ranges in between) than the longitudinal length of the crimped or unexpanded second expandable medical device, or b) when expanded, the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable medical device is not shortened to 10% or less shorter (e.g., 0 to less than 10% and all values ​​and ranges in between) than the longitudinal length of the crimped or unexpanded second expandable medical device, or is substantially not shortened. If the expanded second expandable medical device is configured to shorten, the reduced longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable medical device can facilitate further pulling of the fractured bone. By using the expanded second expandable medical device, the stiffness and / or strength of the area of ​​the two expanded expandable medical devices can be increased, providing additional support to the fractured area of ​​the bone.The materials used to form the first and second expandable medical devices may be the same or different. One or both of the first and second expandable medical devices may contain a reinforcing coating and / or a biological agent.

[0057] One non-limiting object of this disclosure is to provide an expandable medical device that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of the fractured bone.

[0058] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of this disclosure is to provide an expandable medical device partially or completely formed of a rhenium-containing metal alloy that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of the fractured bone.

[0059] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide an expandable medical device partially or completely formed of a rhenium-containing metal alloy that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate fixation, repair and stabilization of the fractured bone, wherein the metal alloy used to partially or completely form the expandable medical device has a sufficient amount of rhenium to improve the ductility and tensile strength of the metal alloy compared to a similar metal alloy that does not contain rhenium.

[0060] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of this disclosure is to provide expandable medical devices partially or completely formed of a rhenium-containing metal alloy exhibiting the rhenium effect.

[0061] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of this disclosure is to provide an expandable medical device that exhibits a rhenium effect and is partially or completely formed of a rhenium-containing metal alloy containing at least 15 awt.% rhenium.

[0062] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of this disclosure is to provide a method for increasing the strength and / or stiffness of an expandable medical device system at a fracture site using a second expandable medical device inserted inside a first expandable expandable medical device.

[0063] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide an expandable medical device for treating a fracture site of a fractured bone having an intramedullary canal, the expandable medical device comprising an expandable frame having an open-cell structure, the expandable frame comprising a plurality of interconnected struts, the expandable frame having an unexpanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be inserted into an intramedullary canal, the expandable frame having an expanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be fixed into the intramedullary canal while traversing the fracture site of the fractured bone, the expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to fully straddle the fracture site, the expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in an unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size in an expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, and the expandable in an unexpanded state The longitudinal length of the expandable frame is longer than the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the expanded state, the expandable frame has side walls including a plurality of openings, and the expandable frame is at least partially formed of a metal alloy containing at least 5 awt.% (e.g., 5 to 99 awt.% and all values ​​and ranges in between) of rhenium and additive material, the additive material containing one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, and the rhenium and additive material constitute at least 90 wt% of the rhenium alloy.

[0064] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide expandable medical devices at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material including a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating, h) zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

[0065] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone, a) providing a fractured bone comprising first and second bone portions and a fracture site located between the first and second bone portions, wherein the fracture site has a fracture site width, and each of the first and second bone portions of the fractured bone comprises an intramedullary canal, and b) providing an expandable medical device for treating the fracture site of the fractured bone, the expandable medical device comprising an expandable frame having an open cell structure, the expandable frame comprising a plurality of interconnected struts, the expandable frame having an unexpanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be inserted into an intramedullary canal, and the expandable frame is fractured The expandable frame has an expandable shape and size that allows it to be fixed within the intramedullary canal while traversing the fracture site of the bone, the expandable frame has a longitudinal length sufficient to completely straddle the fracture site, the expandable frame is expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size in the expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the unexpanded state is longer than the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the expanded state, the expandable frame has side walls including multiple openings, and the expandable frame has at least 5 awt.% (e.g., 5 to 99 awt.%).is at least partially formed of a metal alloy comprising rhenium and an additive material in % and all values and ranges therebetween, wherein the additive material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, and comprises one or more metals selected therefrom, and rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90% by weight of the rhenium alloy, and c) positioning at least a portion of the expandable medical device within first and second bone portions such that the expandable medical device traverses the fracture site, inserting the expandable medical device into the intramedullary canal while the expandable medical device is in an unexpanded state, and d) expanding the expandable medical device within the intramedullary canal to an expanded state to repair the fractured bone, wherein expansion of the expandable medical device causes the first bone portion and the second bone portion to reduce the width of the fracture site..

[0066] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone, wherein an expandable medical device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion, the expanding step comprises expanding the proximal portion and / or the distal portion of the expandable medical device before expanding the intermediate portion, and pre-expansion of the proximal portion and / or the distal portion causes the proximal portion and / or the distal portion to be at least partially anchored within the intramedullary canal prior to expansion of the intermediate portion.

[0067] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone, wherein the expandable medical device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion, the method further comprising the step of fixing the proximal portion and / or the distal portion within the medullary canal by: a) inserting one or more screws or struts into the fractured bone to limit movement of the proximal portion and / or the distal portion within the medullary canal, and / or b) inserting an adhesive and / or cement into the medullary canal to limit movement of the proximal portion and / or the distal portion within the medullary canal.

[0068] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone, the method further comprising: a) removing at least a portion of bone marrow from the medullary canal before inserting the expandable medical device into the medullary canal, and b) inserting at least a portion of the removed bone marrow back into the medullary canal at least partially after expanding the expandable medical device in the medullary canal.

[0069] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone, the method further comprising the step of using a sheath to facilitate insertion of the expandable medical device into the medullary canal, wherein the sheath comprises a tubular structure having a longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal cavity has a size and shape configured to allow an unexpanded expandable medical device to move through the longitudinal cavity, and at least a portion of the sheath is optionally formed of an elastic material.

[0070] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone, the method further comprising the step of using a guide wire to facilitate insertion of a portion of the expandable medical device into the medullary canal, wherein the guide wire has sufficient flexibility and rigidity to allow the unexpanded expandable medical device to move along the guide wire through the medullary canal.

[0071] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a second expandable medical device; b) inserting the second expandable medical device into an expanded expandable medical device; and c) expanding the second expandable medical device within the expanded expandable medical device to increase strength and / or stiffness around the fracture site.

[0072] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of this disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone in which the longitudinal length of a second expandable medical device in an expanded state is shorter than the longitudinal length of the expanded expandable medical device.

[0073] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone, wherein a second expandable medical device is configured such that, when expanded, the expanded longitudinal length of the second expandable medical device is shortened by at least 10% compared to the longitudinal length of the second expandable medical device in its unexpanded state.

[0074] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of this disclosure is to provide a method for repairing a fractured bone such that when the second expandable medical device is expanded within the expandable medical device, the end of the second expandable medical device does not extend beyond the end of the expandable medical device in the expanded state.

[0075] Another and / or alternative non-limiting object of this disclosure is to provide an expandable device for treating a fracture site of a fractured bone having an intramedullary canal, the expandable device comprising an expandable frame, the expandable frame having an unexpanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be inserted into the intramedullary canal, and the expandable frame having an expanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be fixed into the intramedullary canal while traversing the fracture site of the fractured bone, the expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to fully straddle the fracture site, the expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in an unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size in an expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the unexpanded state being greater than the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the expanded state, the expandable frame having a side wall containing one or more openings, and the expandable frame having at least 5 awt.% (e.g., 5 to 99 awt.%).At least partially formed of a metal alloy containing rhenium and additive materials (including all values ​​and ranges between %), the additive materials being aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, The rhenium alloy comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, wherein rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90% by weight of the rhenium alloy, and the rhenium alloy optionally contains 0-2% by weight of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen, the other metal being a metal other than rhenium and the additive material, and the expandable frame is optionally at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material optionally being a) a biological agent, or b) titanium nitride (TiNOx) coating. The expandable frame includes, optionally, a titanium nitride (TiN) coating, a chromium nitride (CrN) coating, a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, a zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, a zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating, a zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, an i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating, and the expandable frame is optionally at least partially coated with a biocompatible material and expandable. The frame optionally has a substantially hollow tubular shape, and the biocompatible material optionally contains 0.1% by weight or less nickel and / or 0.1% by weight or less cobalt, and the metal alloy of the expandable frame optionally contains 0.1% by weight or less nickel and / or 0.1% by weight or less cobalt, and the biocompatible material optionally is at least partially coated on a metal adhesive coating, and the metal adhesive coating optionally contains 0.1% by weight or less nickel and / or 0.1% by weight or less cobalt.

[0076] Other purposes, advantages, and novel features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of this disclosure, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0077] Non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, and similar symbols refer to similar parts throughout the various drawings unless otherwise specified. The size and relative position of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements are selected, enlarged, and positioned to improve the readability of the drawings. Certain shapes of the drawn elements are selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. With reference thereto, the drawings illustrate various embodiments that this disclosure may take in physical form as well as in certain parts and arrangements of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0078] [Figure 1] This paper illustrates various non-limiting conventional bone fixation configurations and the non-limiting disadvantages that may be associated with such bone fixation configurations. [Figure 2] This paper illustrates various non-limiting conventional bone fixation configurations and the non-limiting disadvantages that may be associated with such bone fixation configurations. [Figure 3] This paper illustrates various non-limiting conventional bone fixation configurations and the non-limiting disadvantages that may be associated with such bone fixation configurations. [Figure 4] This disclosure illustrates a non-limiting list of expandable medical devices and non-limiting features of expandable medical devices. [Figure 5A] This disclosure illustrates non-limiting ways of using the non-limiting expandable medical device to repair fractures. [Figure 5B] This disclosure illustrates non-limiting ways of using the non-limiting expandable medical device to repair fractures. [Figure 5C]This disclosure illustrates non-limiting ways of using the non-limiting expandable medical device to repair fractures. [Figure 5D] This disclosure illustrates non-limiting ways of using the non-limiting expandable medical device to repair fractures. [Figure 6] The present disclosure illustrates non-limiting expandable medical devices in both an unexpanded and expanded state, and illustrates that the expanded non-limiting expandable medical device has a shorter longitudinal length than the unexpanded non-limiting expandable medical device. [Figure 7] This disclosure illustrates non-limiting ways of using two non-limiting, expandable medical devices to repair fractures. [Figure 8] This illustrates non-limited bone that can be repaired using expandable medical devices. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0079] For clarity, specific terminology is used in the following description, but these terms are intended to refer only to specific structures of embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of this disclosure. In the drawings and the following description, similar numerical designations refer to components of similar function.

[0080] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" refer to multiple objects unless explicitly indicated otherwise in the context.

[0081] As used in this specification and the claims, the term "comprising" may encompass the embodiments of "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of". As used herein, the terms "comprise(s)", "include(s)", "having", "has", "can", "contain(s)", and variations thereof are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that require the presence of the specified components / steps and permit the presence of other components / steps. However, such description should also be construed as describing a composition or process as "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" the recited components / steps, which permits the presence of only the specified components / steps, along with any unavoidable impurities that may arise therefrom, and excludes other components / steps.

[0082] It is to be understood that numerical values in the specification and claims of the present application include those numerical values that are identical when reduced to the same number of significant figures and the same numerical value, and differ from the numerical value by less than the experimental error of conventional measurement techniques of the type described in the present application for determining the value.

[0083] All ranges disclosed herein include the recited endpoints and can be combined independently (for example, the range "from 2 grams to 10 grams" includes the endpoints 2 grams and 10 grams, as well as all intermediate values).

[0084] The terms "about" and "approximately" can be used to include any numerical value that can vary without altering the basic function of the value. When used with a range, "about" and "approximately" also disclose the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints; for example, "from about 2 to about 4" also discloses the range "from 2 to 4". In general, the terms "about" and "approximately" can refer to plus or minus 10% of the stated number.

[0085] While the operations of exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods may be described in a specific sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments may encompass orders of operations other than the specific sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described sequentially may, in some cases, be rearranged or performed simultaneously. Furthermore, the descriptions and disclosures provided in relation to one particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment and may apply to any disclosed embodiments.

[0086] For the sake of simplification, the accompanying diagrams may not show the various ways in which the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus can be used in combination with other systems, methods, and apparatus (which are readily identifiable to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure). Additionally, the description may use terms such as “generate” and “provide” to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are abstractions of the actual operations that can be performed. The actual operations corresponding to these terms may vary depending on the specific implementation and are readily identifiable to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure.

[0087] This disclosure relates to an expandable medical device that can be partially or completely inserted into a fractured bone to facilitate the fixation, repair, and stabilization of the fractured bone. The expandable medical device is partially or completely formed of a rhenium-containing metal alloy, the rhenium content of the metal alloy may be such that the metal alloy has improved ductility and tensile strength compared to the same or similar metal alloy that does not contain rhenium. The outer surface of the expandable medical device may optionally be coated with a reinforcing coating.

[0088] Referring here to Figure 4, a fractured bone B is illustrated, including an expandable medical device 100 positioned within the intramedullary canal IC of the fractured bone B. The expandable medical device 100 is positioned within the intramedullary canal IC such that it covers the fracture zone F of the fractured bone B. The bone marrow BM is partially or completely removed within the intramedullary canal IC before insertion of the expandable medical device 100 into the intramedullary canal IC. A guidewire GW is illustrated, which can be optionally used to facilitate the guidance of the expandable medical device 100 during insertion into the intramedullary canal IC. The base of the fractured bone includes a channel C cut into the fractured bone so that the expandable medical device 100 can be inserted into the intramedullary canal IC. An insertion tool IC is used to insert the expandable medical device 100 into the intramedullary canal IC. The insertion tool IC may optionally include a sheath S positioned within the channel C and which can be used to facilitate the insertion of the expandable medical device 100 into the intramedullary canal IC through the channel C.

[0089] Figure 4 lists several non-limiting advantages of the expandable medical device 100.

[0090] • The use of expandable medical device 100 is minimally invasive. Generally, only a 3-4 mm incision in the bone is required to insert the expandable medical device 100 into the intramedullary canal IC of fractured bone B. Prior art intramedullary nails generally required an incision of approximately 15 mm in the bone. The significantly smaller incision in the fractured bone improves the healing rate of the fractured bone and reduces the incidence of bone damage during incision formation.

[0091] To maintain bone marrow integrity and promote the healing of fractured bone, an expandable medical device is inserted into the intramedullary canal, after which any removed or displaced bone marrow is reinjected into the intramedullary canal, thereby minimizing bone marrow loss during fracture repair procedures.

[0092] The use of the expandable medical device 100 provides true "internal fixation" of fractures without the need for external devices (e.g., screws, external support structures, etc.). The "internal fixation" feature of the expandable medical device also does not result in interference with soft tissues, tendons, and muscles around the fractured bone, and therefore causes little to no damage to the surrounding connective tissue around the fractured bone during repair.

[0093] The use of expandable medical devices 100 provides improved conformity to the shape of the intramedullary canal of fractured bone compared to rigid rods. The shape of the intramedullary canal of fractured bone is generally not straight, especially when the bone is fractured. The flexibility of the frame of the expandable medical device allows the frame to bend during insertion of the expandable medical device into the intramedullary canal. Therefore, the flexible frame of the expandable medical device can better conform to the non-linear shape of the intramedullary canal of fractured bone, thus resulting in a) improved fracture repair and b) reduced damage to the intramedullary canal of fractured bone during insertion of the expandable medical device into the intramedullary canal.

[0094] • The use of expandable medical devices to repair fractured bones may result in a lower risk of pulmonary embolism.

[0095] The expandable medical device 100 is configured such that its longitudinal length is reduced by shortening of the frame when the expandable medical device is expanded. Such reduction in the longitudinal length of the expandable medical device pulls the fractured portions of the fractured bone together, thereby improving fracture repair.

[0096] Referring here to Figures 5A–5D, a non-limiting method for repairing a fractured bone B by the use of an expandable medical device 100 is illustrated. Figure 5A illustrates a fractured bone B including a fracture zone F. The fractured bone F includes an intramedullary canal IC containing bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels. Referring here to Figure 5A, a channel C is formed at one end of the fractured bone B. The diameter of the channel can be reduced to about 2 mm, and is typically 3–6 mm (and all values ​​and ranges in between). After channel C is formed, all portions of the bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels within the intramedullary canal IC can be temporarily removed, as illustrated in Figure 5B. The process for removing the bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels within the intramedullary canal IC is known in the art and will not be described herein.

[0097] Referring here to Figure 5C, once the bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels within the intramedullary canal IC have been sufficiently removed, an insertion tool IT is used to facilitate the insertion of the expandable medical device 100 into the intramedullary canal IC. The insertion tool IT may optionally include the use of a sheath S and / or a guidewire GW to facilitate the insertion of the expandable medical device 100 into the intramedullary canal IC. The sheath is illustrated as being inserted into channel C. The sheath S may optionally be formed of an expandable material that expands as the expandable medical device 100 moves through the internal channel of the sheath into the intramedullary canal IC. The sheath S may be formed of a flexible polymer material. The sheath S may optionally include a shape memory material that returns the sheath to its original or nearly original shape when the expandable medical device 100 has passed through or after passing through the internal channel of the sheath. The sheath S is configured to suppress or prevent damage to the bone marrow located around channel C when the expandable medical device 100 passes through channel C in a crimped or unexpanded state. The sheath S is also configured to suppress or prevent damage to the expandable medical device 100 when the expandable medical device 100 passes through channel C (e.g., the anterior end of the expandable medical device getting caught in the bone marrow around the channel, thereby bending or otherwise damaging the expandable medical device). Generally, no more than 50% of the longitudinal length of the sheath S (e.g., 0-50% and all values ​​and ranges in between) is inserted into the portion of the intramedullary canal IC from which all portions of the bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels within the intramedullary canal IC have been removed. As illustrated in Figures 5C and 5D, the proximal end of the sheath S is spaced apart from the portion of the intramedullary canal IC from which all portions of the bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels within the intramedullary canal IC have been removed, but this is not required.

[0098] The insertion tool IT may optionally include the use of a guidewire GW to facilitate the insertion of an expandable medical device 100 into an intramedullary canal IC. The guidewire GW is illustrated to be inserted through channel C into a portion of the intramedullary canal IC from which all portions of bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels have been removed. If a sheath S is used, the guidewire GW is inserted through the internal channel of sheath S. As illustrated in Figure 5S, the guidewire GW extends into at least 50% (e.g., 50–100% and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the longitudinal length of the portion of the intramedullary canal IC from which all portions of bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels have been removed.

[0099] After the optional sheath S and guidewire GW are positioned within the fractured bone B, the expandable medical device 100 is inserted, in its crimped or unexpanded state, into the portion of the intramedullary canal IC from which all portions of bone marrow BM and other tissues and / or blood vessels have been removed. When sheath S is used, the expandable medical device 100 is fully inserted through the internal channels of sheath S. When guidewire GW is used, the expandable medical device 100 is inserted around the guidewire GW and then guided into the intramedullary canal IC along the guidewire until the expandable medical device 100 is properly positioned within the intramedullary canal IC. Generally, the intramedullary canal IC is not inserted beyond the end of the guidewire GW before the expandable medical device 100 expands within the intramedullary canal IC.

[0100] When the expandable medical device 100 is positioned within the intramedullary canal IC, at least a portion of the frame or body of the expandable medical device 100 expands from a crimped state to an expanded state within the intramedullary canal IC. As illustrated in Figure 5D, the posterior portion 102 and the anterior portion 104 of the expandable medical device 100 expand within the intramedullary canal IC. Such expansion of the posterior portion 102 and the anterior portion 104 of the expandable medical device 100 within the intramedullary canal IC results in the anchoring of the posterior portion 102 of the expandable medical device 100 in one section of the fractured bone B and the anchoring of the anterior portion 104 of the expandable medical device 100 in the other section of the fractured bone B. Once both the posterior portion 102 and the anterior portion 104 of the expandable medical device 100 are properly anchored within the intramedullary canal IC, the expandable medical device 100 can optionally be further expanded within the expandable medical device 100 within the intramedullary canal IC. Further expansion of the expandable medical device 100 may occur in the rear portion 102 and the front portion 104 of the expandable medical device 100, and / or in the middle portion 106 of the expandable medical device 100. The expansion of the rear portion 102 and the front portion 104 of the expandable medical device 100 may be simultaneous or sequential (e.g., partial or complete expansion of the rear portion before partial or complete expansion of the front portion, partial or complete expansion of the front portion before partial or complete expansion of the rear portion, etc.). The middle portion 106 may optionally be expanded after the rear portion 102 and the front portion 104 of the expandable medical device 100 have been fully expanded.

[0101] The frame or body of the expandable medical device 100 may be configured such that when the expandable medical device is expanded from a crimped state to an expanded state, it results in a reduction in the longitudinal length of the expandable medical device. Referring here to Figures 6A and 6B, non-limiting configurations of the frame or body of the expandable medical device 100 configured to shorten when expanded are illustrated. The frame or body has an open-cell configuration and is formed from a plurality of interconnecting struts and / or columns. The interconnecting struts and / or columns may be configured to form various patterns (e.g., zigzag patterns, sawtooth patterns, triangular patterns, polygonal patterns, oval patterns, etc.). One or more of the interconnecting struts and / or columns may have the same or different thicknesses and / or cross-sectional shapes and / or cross-sectional areas. Figure 6A illustrates the expandable medical device 100 in a crimped or expanded state. Figure 6B illustrates the expandable medical device 100 in an expanded state. The longitudinal length of the expandable medical device 100 in the expanded state is illustrated as being shorter than the longitudinal length of the expandable medical device 100 in the crimped or unexpanded state. In one non-limiting embodiment, the longitudinal length of the expandable medical device 100 in the expanded state is at least 5% (e.g., 5–60% and all values ​​and ranges in between) shorter than the longitudinal length of the expandable medical device 100 in the crimped or unexpanded state. The expandable medical device 100 can be expanded using an inflation device (e.g., an expandable balloon).

[0102] Referring now to Figures 5C and 5D, when the expandable medical device 100 is expanded and its longitudinal length is reduced, the reduction in the longitudinal length of the expandable medical device 100 pulls the fractured portions of the fractured bone B together, thereby facilitating the repair of the fractured bone B.

[0103] The frame or body of the expandable medical device 100 is generally partially or completely formed of a) a heat-resistant metal alloy and / or b) a metal alloy containing at least 5 awt.% or atomic percent (awt%) of rhenium (e.g., 5 to 99 awt.% of rhenium and all values ​​and ranges in between). The frame or body of the expandable medical device 100 may be partially or completely formed of a metal alloy that does not contain chromium and / or nickel. In one non-limiting embodiment, the frame or body of the expandable medical device 100 is partially or completely formed of at least 5 awt.% (e.g., 5 to 99 awt.% and all values ​​and ranges in between) of rhenium, as well as aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel The metal alloy contains 0.1 to 96% by weight of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of ru, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and / or zirconium, and the metal alloy may optionally be formed from a combination of 0 to 2% by weight of other metals (e.g., metals other than additives), carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and / or nitrogen.

[0104] The frame or body of the expandable medical device 100 can optionally be fully or partially coated with a reinforcing coating. Non-limiting reinforcing coatings that can be applied to part or all of the expandable medical device include chromium nitride (CrN), diamond-like carbon (DLC), titanium nitride (TiN), titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx), zirconium nitride (ZrN), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC), zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC), zirconium oxynitride (ZnNxOy) [e.g., cubic ZrN:O, cubic ZrO2:N, tetragonal ZrO2:N, and monoclinic ZrO2:N phase coatings], and combinations of such coatings. In another non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the reinforcing coating is greater than 1 nanometer (e.g., 2 nanometers to 100 microns, as well as all values ​​and ranges in between). In one non-limiting configuration, 50–100% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the outer surface of the frame or body of an expandable medical device 100 is coated with titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) and / or zirconium oxynitride (ZnNxOy).

[0105] Referring again to Figures 5C and 5D, after the expandable medical device 100 has been expanded within the intramedullary canal IC, any portion of the removed bone marrow (RBM) removed from the intramedullary canal IC can optionally be reinserted into the intramedullary canal IC via an insertion device (e.g., a syringe). Furthermore, once the expandable medical device 100 is properly positioned and expanded within the intramedullary canal IC of the fractured bone B, cement, adhesive, or other surgical fluids can optionally be used to provide fixation and stabilization of the expandable medical device 100 within the intramedullary canal IC. When used, the cement, adhesive, or other surgical fluids can be inserted into the intramedullary canal IC either before, during, or after the optional insertion of the removed bone marrow (RBM) into the intramedullary canal IC. Generally, the guidewire (GW) is partially or completely removed from the intramedullary canal IC before the optional insertion of cement, adhesive, or other surgical fluids and / or the removed bone marrow (RBM) into the intramedullary canal IC. The sheath S is removed from the intramedullary canal IC before, during, or after the complete expansion of the expandable medical device 100 within the intramedullary canal IC, and / or the optional insertion of cement, adhesive or other surgical fluid and / or removed bone marrow (RBM) into the intramedullary canal IC. After the insertion tool IT is removed from channel C, channel C may optionally be sealed with a sealing material (e.g., cement, adhesive or other surgical fluid, bone fragments, etc.) after the complete expansion of the expandable medical device 100 within the intramedullary canal IC, and / or the optional insertion of cement, adhesive or other surgical fluid and / or removed bone marrow (RBM) into the intramedullary canal IC.

[0106] Referring here to Figures 7A to 7D, a modified procedure for the bone repair procedure illustrated in Figures 5A to 5D is illustrated. The modified procedure includes the procedure discussed above with respect to Figures 5A to 5D, but includes the use of a second expandable medical device 200. The second expandable medical device 200 can be optionally inserted inside the first expanded expandable medical device 100 to increase the strength and / or stiffness of the expandable medical device system at the fracture site F of the fractured bone B. For example, the first expandable medical device 100 can be inserted into and expanded within the intramedullary canal IC, as discussed above with respect to Figures 5A to 5D. The second expandable medical device 200 can then be inserted inside the expanded first expandable medical device 200. Generally, the longitudinal length of the extended second expandable medical device 200 is shorter than the longitudinal length of the extended first expandable medical device 200 (e.g., less than 20-80% and all values ​​and ranges in between).

[0107] Generally, the longitudinal length of the unexpanded second expandable medical device 200 is less than or equal to the longitudinal length of the unexpanded first expandable medical device 200 (e.g., 20-80% and all values ​​and ranges in between). In one non-limiting configuration, the longitudinal length of the unexpanded second expandable medical device 200 is shorter than the longitudinal length of the unexpanded first expandable medical device 200 such that when the unexpanded second expandable medical device 200 is inserted inside the expanded first expandable medical device 200, the ends of the unexpanded second expandable medical device 200 are spaced inward from the ends of the expanded first expandable medical device 100. In another non-limiting configuration, when the first and second expandable medical devices 100, 200 are expanded, the ends of the expanded second expandable medical device 200 are spaced inward from the ends of the expanded first expandable medical device 100.

[0108] As illustrated in Figure 7D, the expanded second expandable medical device 200 traverses the length of the fracture. Generally, 10–70% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the longitudinal length of one side of the expanded second expandable medical device 200 is located on one side of the fracture F, and 10–70% (and all values ​​and ranges in between) of the longitudinal length of the other side of the expanded second expandable medical device 200 is located on the other side of the fracture F. As illustrated in Figure 7C, the second expandable medical device 200 is inserted into the first expanded second expandable medical device 100 before the expansion of the second expandable medical device 200. The second expandable medical device 200 may be configured such that a) when expanded, the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable medical device is shortened to at least 10% shorter (e.g., 10 to less than 60% and all values ​​and ranges in between) than the longitudinal length of the crimped or unexpanded second expandable medical device 200, or b) when expanded, the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable medical device is not shortened to 10% or less (e.g., 0 to less than 10% and all values ​​and ranges in between) than the longitudinal length of the crimped or unexpanded second expandable medical device 200, or is substantially not shortened. When the expanded second expandable medical device 200 is configured to shorten, the reduced longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable medical device 200 can facilitate further pulling of the fractured portions of the fractured bone B together. The use of the extended second expandable medical device 200 results in increased rigidity and / or strength in the area of ​​the two extended expandable medical devices 100, 200 to provide additional support to the fracture area of ​​bone B. The materials used to form the first and second expandable medical devices 100, 200 may be the same or different. One or both of the first and second expandable medical devices 100, 200 may contain reinforcing coatings and / or biological agents.

[0109] After the second expandable medical device 200 has been expanded, any portion of the removed bone marrow (RBM) removed from the intramedullary canal IC can optionally be reinserted into the intramedullary canal IC via an insertion device (e.g., a syringe). Furthermore, once the expandable medical devices 100, 200 are properly positioned and expanded within the intramedullary canal IC of the fractured bone B, cement, adhesive, or other surgical fluids can optionally be used to provide fixation and stabilization of the expandable medical devices 100, 200 within the intramedullary canal IC. When used, the cement, adhesive, or other surgical fluids can be inserted into the intramedullary canal IC either before, during, or after the optional insertion of the removed bone marrow (RBM) into the intramedullary canal IC. Generally, the guidewire (GW) is partially or completely removed from the intramedullary canal IC before the optional insertion of cement, adhesive, or other surgical fluids and / or the removed bone marrow (RBM) into the intramedullary canal IC. The sheath S is removed from the intramedullary canal IC before, during, or after the complete expansion of the expandable medical devices 100, 200 within the intramedullary canal IC, and / or the optional insertion of cement, adhesive or other surgical fluid and / or removed bone marrow (RBM) into the intramedullary canal IC. After the insertion tool IT is removed from channel C, channel C may optionally be sealed with a sealing material (e.g., cement, adhesive or other surgical fluid, bone fragments, etc.) after the complete expansion of the expandable medical devices 100, 200 within the intramedullary canal IC, and / or the optional insertion of cement, adhesive or other surgical fluid and / or removed bone marrow (RBM) into the intramedullary canal IC.

[0110] Referring here to Figure 8, several different non-limiting fractured bones B that can be repaired with one or two expandable medical devices according to the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0111] Therefore, since the above objectives are efficiently achieved and certain modifications to the described configurations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as revealed in the above description, all matters included in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings are intended to be interpreted as illustrative and not restrictive. This disclosure has been described with reference to preferred and alternative embodiments. Modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed considerations of this disclosure provided herein. This disclosure is intended to include all such modifications and changes, insofar as they fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should also be understood that the following claims are intended to encompass all the general and specific features of this disclosure as described herein, as well as, as a matter of language, all descriptions of the scope of this disclosure that may lie between them.

[0112] To assist the Patent Office and any reader of this application and any resulting patents in interpreting the claims attached herein, the applicant does not intend any of the attached claims or claim elements to exercise § 112(f) of the United States Patent Act unless the words “means for” or “steps for” are expressly used in a particular claim.

[0113] (Note) (Note 1) An expandable device for treating a fracture site of a fractured bone having an intramedullary canal, wherein the expandable device includes an expandable frame, the expandable frame having an unexpanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be inserted into the intramedullary canal, the expandable frame having an expanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be fixed into the intramedullary canal while traversing the fracture site of the fractured bone, the expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to completely straddle the fracture site, the expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size in the expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, and the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the unexpanded state is An expandable device, wherein the expandable frame is longer than the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the expanded state, the expandable frame has side walls including one or more openings, the expandable frame is at least partially formed of a metal alloy containing at least 5 awt.% rhenium and an additive material, the additive material containing one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, and the rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90 wt% of the rhenium alloy.

[0114] (Note 2) The expandable device as described in Appendix 1, wherein the rhenium alloy comprises 0-2% by weight of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen, the other metal being a metal other than the rhenium and the additive material.

[0115] (Note 3) The expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating, h) zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating, as described in Appendix 1.

[0116] (Note 4) The expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating, h) zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating, as described in Appendix 2.

[0117] (Note 5) The expandable device as described in Appendix 1, wherein the expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating, and / or c) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

[0118] (Note 6) The expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating, and / or c) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating, as described in any one of Appendices 2 to 4.

[0119] (Note 7) The biocompatible material comprises a) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating and / or b) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating, as described in Appendix 5, for the expandable device.

[0120] (Note 8) The biocompatible material comprises a) a titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating and / or b) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating, as described in Appendix 6, for the expandable device.

[0121] (Note 9) The expandable frame is the expandable device described in Appendix 1, having a substantially hollow tubular shape.

[0122] (Note 10) The expandable frame is an expandable device according to any one of the appendices 2 to 8, having a substantially hollow tubular shape.

[0123] (Note 11) A method for repairing fractured bones, To provide a fractured bone comprising first and second bone portions and a fracture site located between the first and second bone portions, wherein the fracture site has a fracture site width, and each of the first and second bone portions of the fractured bone includes an intramedullary canal. To provide an expandable device, the expandable device includes an expandable frame, the expandable frame having an unexpanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be inserted into the intramedullary canal, the expandable frame having an expanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be fixed into the intramedullary canal while traversing the fracture site of the fractured bone, the expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to completely straddle the fracture site, the expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size in the expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, and the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the unexpanded state being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the expanded state The expandable frame is longer than the longitudinal length of the expandable frame, and the expandable frame has side walls including one or more openings, and the expandable frame is at least partially formed of a metal alloy containing at least 5 awt.% rhenium and an additive material, the additive material containing one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, and the rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90 wt% of the rhenium alloy, to provide, At least a portion of the expandable device is positioned within the first and second bone portions, and the expandable device is inserted into the intramedullary canal while it is in its unexpanded state so as to traverse the fracture site. To repair the fractured bone by expanding the expandable device to the expanded state within the intramedullary canal, Includes, The expansion of the expandable device extends to the first and second bone portions, thereby causing a reduction in the fracture site width. method.

[0124] (Note 12) The expandable device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion, and the step of expanding comprises expanding the proximal portion and / or distal portion of the expandable device before expanding the intermediate portion, and the pre-expansion of the proximal portion and / or distal portion causes the proximal portion and / or distal portion to be at least partially anchored in the intramedullary canal before the expansion of the intermediate portion, as described in Appendix 11.

[0125] (Note 13) The method according to Appendix 11, wherein the expandable device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion, and further comprises the step of fixing the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal by a) inserting one or more screws or supports into the fractured bone to restrict the movement of the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal, and / or b) inserting adhesive and / or cement into the intramedullary canal to restrict the movement of the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal.

[0126] (Note 14) The expandable device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion, and further comprises the step of fixing the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal by a) inserting one or more screws or supports into the fractured bone to restrict the movement of the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal, and / or b) inserting adhesive and / or cement into the intramedullary canal to restrict the movement of the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal, as described in Appendix 12.

[0127] (Note 15) The method according to Appendix 11, further comprising: a) removing at least a portion of bone marrow from the intramedullary canal before inserting the expandable device into the intramedullary canal; and b) after the step of expanding the expandable device in the intramedullary canal, at least partially inserting the removed portion of bone marrow into the intramedullary canal.

[0128] (Note 16) The method according to any one of the appendices 12 to 14, further comprising: a) removing at least a portion of bone marrow from the intramedullary canal before inserting the expandable device into the intramedullary canal; and b) after the step of expanding the expandable device in the intramedullary canal, at least partially inserting the removed portion of bone marrow into the intramedullary canal.

[0129] (Note 17) The method according to Appendix 11, wherein the rhenium alloy contains 0 to 2% by weight of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen, and the other metals are metals other than the rhenium and the additive material.

[0130] (Note 18) The method according to any one of the appendices 12 to 16, wherein the rhenium alloy contains 0 to 2% by weight of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen, and the other metals are metals other than the rhenium and the additive material.

[0131] (Note 19) The method according to Appendix 11, wherein the expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating, h) zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

[0132] (Note 20) The method according to any one of Appendix 12 to 18, wherein the expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating, h) zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

[0133] (Note 21) The biocompatible material is the method described in Appendix 19, comprising a) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating and / or b) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

[0134] (Note 22) The biocompatible material is the method according to Appendix 20, comprising a) a titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating and / or b) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

[0135] (Note 23) The expandable frame is as described in Appendix 11, having a substantially hollow tubular shape.

[0136] (Note 24) The expandable frame is a substantially hollow tubular shape, as described in any one of the methods described in Appendix 12 to 22.

[0137] (Note 25) The method according to Appendix 11, further comprising the step of using a sheath to facilitate insertion of the expandable device into the intramedullary canal, wherein the sheath comprises a tubular structure having a longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal cavity having a size and shape configured to allow the unexpanded expandable device to move through the longitudinal cavity, and at least a portion of the sheath is optionally formed of an elastic material.

[0138] (Note 26) The method according to any one of the appendices 12 to 24, further comprising the step of using a sheath to facilitate insertion of the expandable device into the intramedullary canal, wherein the sheath comprises a tubular structure having a longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal cavity having a size and shape configured to allow the unexpanded expandable device to move through the longitudinal cavity, and at least a portion of the sheath is optionally formed of an elastic material.

[0139] (Note 27) The method according to Appendix 11, further comprising the step of using a guide wire to facilitate insertion of a portion of the expandable device into the intramedullary canal, wherein the guide wire has sufficient flexibility and rigidity to allow the unexpanded expandable device to move through the intramedullary canal along the guide wire.

[0140] (Note 28) The method according to any one of the appendices 12 to 26, further comprising the step of using a guide wire to facilitate insertion of a portion of the expandable device into the intramedullary canal, wherein the guide wire has sufficient flexibility and rigidity to allow the unexpanded expandable device to move through the intramedullary canal along the guide wire.

[0141] (Note 29) A step of providing a second expandable device, the second expandable device comprising a second expandable frame having an open-cell configuration, the second expandable frame comprising a plurality of interconnected struts, the second expandable frame enabling insertion into the intramedullary canal when oriented in an unexpanded shape and size, the expandable frame being configured to expand to an expanded shape and size, the second expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to fully straddle the fracture site, the second expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, and the longitudinal length of the second expandable frame in the unexpanded state being The step of providing a second expandable frame having a side wall including a plurality of openings, which is longer than the longitudinal length of the second expandable frame in the expanded state, and which is at least partially formed of a metal alloy containing at least 5 awt.% rhenium and an additive material, wherein the additive material includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, wherein the rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90 wt% of the rhenium alloy, The steps include inserting a second expandable device into the expanded expandable device, The steps include expanding the second expandable device within the expanded expandable device to increase the strength and / or stiffness around the area of ​​the fracture, The method described in Appendix 11, further including the method described in Appendix 11.

[0142] (Note 30) A step of providing a second expandable device, the second expandable device comprising a second expandable frame having at least one opening, the second expandable frame enabling insertion of the second expandable device into the intramedullary canal when oriented in an unexpanded shape and size, the expandable frame being configured to expand to an expanded shape and size, the second expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to fully straddle the fracture site, the second expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, and the longitudinal length of the second expandable frame in the unexpanded state being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the expanded state The second expandable frame is longer than the longitudinal length of the second expandable frame, and has side walls including a plurality of openings, and the second expandable frame is at least partially formed of a metal alloy containing at least 5 awt.% rhenium and an additive material, wherein the additive material includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, and the rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90 wt% of the rhenium alloy, providing the steps: The steps include inserting a second expandable device into the expanded expandable device, The steps include expanding the second expandable device within the expanded expandable device to increase the strength and / or stiffness around the area of ​​the fracture, The method described in any one of the appendices 12 to 28, further including the method described in any one of the appendices 12 to 28.

[0143] (Note 31) The method according to Appendix 29, wherein the longitudinal length of the second expandable device in the extended state is shorter than the longitudinal length of the extended expandable device.

[0144] (Note 32) The method according to Appendix 30, wherein the longitudinal length of the second expandable device in the extended state is shorter than the longitudinal length of the extended expandable device.

[0145] (Note 33) The method according to Appendix 29, wherein the second expandable device is configured such that when expanded, the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable device is shortened by at least 10% compared to the longitudinal length of the unexpanded second expandable device.

[0146] (Note 34) The method according to any one of the appendices 30 to 32, wherein the second expandable device is configured such that when expanded, the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable device is shortened by at least 10% compared to the longitudinal length of the unexpanded second expandable device.

[0147] (Note 35) The method according to Appendix 29, wherein when the second expandable device is expanded inside the expandable device, the end of the second expandable device does not extend beyond the end of the expandable device in the expanded state.

[0148] (Note 36) The method according to any one of appendices 30 to 34, wherein when the second expandable device is expanded inside the expandable device, the end of the second expandable device does not extend beyond the end of the expandable device in the expanded state.

[0149] (Note 37) The method according to Appendix 29, wherein the second expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating, h) zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

[0150] (Note 38) The method according to any one of the appendices 30 to 36, wherein the second expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO2) coating, h) zirconium nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

Claims

1. An expandable device for treating a fracture site of a fractured bone having an intramedullary canal, wherein the expandable device includes an expandable frame, the expandable frame having an unexpanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be inserted into the intramedullary canal, the expandable frame having an expanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be fixed into the intramedullary canal while traversing the fracture site of the fractured bone, the expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to completely straddle the fracture site, the expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size in the expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the unexpanded state being greater than the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the expanded state, the expandable frame having a side wall including one or more openings, and the expandable frame having at least 5 awt. An expandable device at least partially formed of a metal alloy containing % rhenium and an additive material, wherein the additive material comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, and the rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90% by weight of the rhenium alloy.

2. The expandable device according to claim 1, wherein the rhenium alloy comprises 0 to 2% by weight of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen, the other metal being a metal other than the rhenium and the additive material.

3. The expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, which is a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO ２ The expandable device according to claim 1, comprising: (h) a coating, (i) a zirconium-nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, (h) a zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or (j) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

4. The expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, which is a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO ２ The expandable device according to claim 2, comprising: (h) a coating, (i) a zirconium-nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, (h) a zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or (j) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

5. The expandable device according to claim 1, wherein the expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating, and / or c) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

6. The expandable device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material comprising a) a biological agent, b) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating, and / or c) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

7. The expandable device according to claim 5, wherein the biocompatible material comprises a) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating and / or b) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

8. The expandable device according to claim 6, wherein the biocompatible material comprises a) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating and / or b) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

9. The expandable device according to claim 1, wherein the expandable frame has a substantially hollow tubular shape.

10. The expandable device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the expandable frame has a substantially hollow tubular shape.

11. A method for repairing fractured bones, To provide a fractured bone comprising first and second bone portions and a fracture site located between the first and second bone portions, wherein the fracture site has a fracture site width, and each of the first and second bone portions of the fractured bone includes an intramedullary canal. To provide an expandable device, the expandable device includes an expandable frame, the expandable frame having an unexpanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be inserted into the intramedullary canal, the expandable frame having an expanded shape and size that allows the expandable frame to be fixed into the intramedullary canal while traversing the fracture site of the fractured bone, the expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to completely straddle the fracture site, the expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size in the expanded state, the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the unexpanded state being greater than the longitudinal length of the expandable frame in the expanded state, the expandable frame having a side wall including one or more openings, and the expandable frame having at least 5 awt. To provide a metal alloy at least partially formed of % rhenium and an additive material, wherein the additive material comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, and the rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90% by weight of the rhenium alloy. At least a portion of the expandable device is positioned within the first and second bone portions, and the expandable device is inserted into the intramedullary canal while it is in its unexpanded state so as to traverse the fracture site. To repair the fractured bone by expanding the expandable device to the expanded state within the intramedullary canal, Includes, The expansion of the expandable device extends to the first and second bone portions, thereby causing a reduction in the fracture site width. method.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the expandable device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion, and the step of expanding comprises expanding the proximal portion and / or distal portion of the expandable device before expanding the intermediate portion, and the pre-expansion of the proximal portion and / or distal portion causes the proximal portion and / or distal portion to be at least partially anchored in the intramedullary canal before the expansion of the intermediate portion.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the expandable device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion, and further comprises the step of fixing the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal by a) inserting one or more screws or supports into the fractured bone to restrict the movement of the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal, and / or b) inserting adhesive and / or cement into the intramedullary canal to restrict the movement of the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the expandable device comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion, and further comprises the step of fixing the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal by a) inserting one or more screws or supports into the fractured bone to restrict the movement of the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal, and / or b) inserting adhesive and / or cement into the intramedullary canal to restrict the movement of the proximal portion and / or distal portion within the intramedullary canal.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: a) removing at least a portion of bone marrow from the intramedullary canal before inserting the expandable device into the intramedullary canal; and b) after the step of expanding the expandable device in the intramedullary canal, at least partially inserting the removed portion of bone marrow into the intramedullary canal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising: a) removing at least a portion of bone marrow from the intramedullary canal before inserting the expandable device into the intramedullary canal; and b) after the step of expanding the expandable device in the intramedullary canal, at least partially inserting the removed portion of bone marrow into the intramedullary canal.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the rhenium alloy comprises 0 to 2% by weight of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen, the other metal being a metal other than the rhenium and the additive material.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the rhenium alloy comprises 0 to 2% by weight of a combination of other metals, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, hydrogen, and nitrogen, the other metal being a metal other than the rhenium and the additive material.

19. The expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, which is a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO ２ The method according to claim 11, comprising: h) a zirconium-nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating, i) a zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating, and / or j) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

20. The expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, which is a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO ２ The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, comprising: h) a zirconium-nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating; i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating; and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the biocompatible material comprises a) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating and / or b) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the biocompatible material comprises a) a titanium oxide nitride (TiNOx) coating and / or b) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

23. The method according to claim 11, wherein the expandable frame has a substantially hollow tubular shape.

24. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the expandable frame has a substantially hollow tubular shape.

25. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of using a sheath to facilitate insertion of the expandable device into the intramedullary canal, wherein the sheath comprises a tubular structure having a longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal cavity having a size and shape configured to allow the unexpanded expandable device to move through the longitudinal cavity, and at least a portion of the sheath is optionally formed of an elastic material.

26. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 24, further comprising the step of using a sheath to facilitate insertion of the expandable device into the intramedullary canal, wherein the sheath comprises a tubular structure having a longitudinal cavity, the longitudinal cavity having a size and shape configured to allow the unexpanded expandable device to move through the longitudinal cavity, and at least a portion of the sheath is optionally formed of an elastic material.

27. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of using a guide wire to facilitate insertion of a portion of the expandable device into the intramedullary canal, wherein the guide wire has sufficient flexibility and rigidity to allow the unexpanded expandable device to move through the intramedullary canal along the guide wire.

28. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 26, further comprising the step of using a guide wire to facilitate insertion of a portion of the expandable device into the intramedullary canal, wherein the guide wire has sufficient flexibility and rigidity to allow the unexpanded expandable device to move through the intramedullary canal along the guide wire.

29. A step of providing a second expandable device, the second expandable device comprising a second expandable frame having an open-cell configuration, the second expandable frame comprising a plurality of interconnected struts, the second expandable frame enabling insertion of the second expandable device into the intramedullary canal when oriented in an unexpanded shape and size, the expandable frame being configured to expand to an expanded shape and size, the second expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to fully straddle the fracture site, and The second expandable frame is expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, the longitudinal length of the second expandable frame in the unexpanded state is longer than the longitudinal length of the second expandable frame in the expanded state, the second expandable frame has side walls including a plurality of openings, and the second expandable frame has at least 5 awt. A metal alloy comprising % rhenium and an additive material, at least partially formed, wherein the additive material comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, wherein the rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90% by weight of the rhenium alloy, and provides the step of The steps include inserting a second expandable device into the expanded expandable device, The steps include expanding the second expandable device within the expanded expandable device to increase the strength and / or stiffness around the area of ​​the fracture, The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

30. A step of providing a second expandable device, the second expandable device comprising a second expandable frame having at least one opening, the second expandable frame enabling insertion into the intramedullary canal when oriented in an unexpanded shape and size, the expandable frame being configured to expand to an expanded shape and size, the second expandable frame having a longitudinal length sufficient to fully straddle the fracture site, the second expandable frame being expandable from a first cross-sectional size in the unexpanded state to a second cross-sectional size, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the second cross-sectional size being greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second expandable frame in the first cross-sectional size, the longitudinal length of the second expandable frame in the unexpanded state being greater than the longitudinal length of the second expandable frame in the expanded state, the second expandable frame having side walls including a plurality of openings, and the second expandable frame having at least 5 awt. A metal alloy comprising % rhenium and an additive material, at least partially formed, wherein the additive material comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silver, silicon, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium, wherein the rhenium and the additive material constitute at least 90% by weight of the rhenium alloy, and provides the step of The steps include inserting a second expandable device into the expanded expandable device, The steps include expanding the second expandable device within the expanded expandable device to increase the strength and / or stiffness around the area of ​​the fracture, The method according to any one of claims 12 to 28, further comprising:

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the longitudinal length of the second expandable device in the extended state is shorter than the longitudinal length of the extended expandable device.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the longitudinal length of the second expandable device in the extended state is shorter than the longitudinal length of the extended expandable device.

33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the second expandable device is configured such that a) when expanded, it shortens such that the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable device is at least 10% shorter than the longitudinal length of the unexpanded second expandable device.

34. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the second expandable device is configured to shorten when expanded such that the longitudinal length of the expanded second expandable device is at least 10% shorter than the longitudinal length of the unexpanded second expandable device.

35. The method according to claim 29, wherein when the second expandable device is expanded inside the expandable device, the end of the second expandable device does not extend beyond the end of the expandable device in the expanded state.

36. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 34, wherein when the second expandable device is expanded inside the expandable device, the end of the second expandable device does not extend beyond the end of the expandable device in the expanded state.

37. The second expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material being a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO ２ The method according to claim 29, comprising: h) a zirconium-nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating; i) zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating; and / or j) zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

38. The second expandable frame is at least partially coated with a biocompatible material, the biocompatible material being a) a biological agent, b) titanium oxide (TiNOx) coating, c) titanium nitride (TiN) coating, d) chromium nitride (CrN) coating, e) diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, f) zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating, g) zirconium oxide (ZrO ２ The method according to any one of claims 30 to 36, comprising: h) a zirconium-nitrogen-carbon (ZrNC) coating; i) a zirconium oxycarbide (ZrOC) coating; and / or j) a zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy) coating.

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