Ceramic Endoprosthesis Rim Roughness for Coating Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ceramic endoprosthesis components face challenges in forming an intimate connection with bone tissue due to their dense surface, which lacks sufficient points of attack for adhesion, and coatings applied to address this issue often detach at the boundary between coated and uncoated areas.

Innovation Solution

The endoprosthesis component features a peripheral rim with a surface roughness of more than 2.5 μm, which forms a boundary for the coating and absorbs forces parallel to the surface, reducing the risk of detachment, and includes a porous coating with specific pore structures and materials like titanium alloys for enhanced bone integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the surface of the ceramic material is roughened before coating application, then adhesion of the coating is improved, but the risk of coating penetration and detachment at boundary lines increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating adhesionVSAvoidcoating detachment at boundary
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a preliminary roughening treatment to the ceramic surface before coating application. This pre-treatment creates a micro-rough structure that enhances mechanical interlocking between the coating and substrate, thereby improving adhesion reliability while controlling the roughness to prevent excessive coating penetration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise roughness parameters (Ra value between 0.4-1.6 μm) for the ceramic surface before coating. By controlling the roughness within this optimal range, the patent achieves sufficient adhesion strength while preventing the coating from penetrating too deeply into the roughness valleys, which would cause detachment at boundaries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the coating is applied to enhance bone connection, then biological compatibility is improved, but the structural integrity and dimensional stability of the ceramic body may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone connection capabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity of ceramic
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies coating only to specific surface areas of the ceramic endoprosthesis that require bone connection, rather than coating the entire component. This localized coating approach preserves the structural integrity and dimensional stability of the ceramic body while providing the necessary biological compatibility and bone integration capability at the implant-bone interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining the ceramic material (providing mechanical strength and dimensional stability) with a coating layer (providing biological compatibility and bone connection capability). This composite approach allows each material to contribute its superior properties without compromising the overall performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures stable adhesion of the coating to both the coated surface and the rim, reducing the risk of detachment and promoting a strong, durable interface between the endoprosthesis and bone tissue, facilitating better bone growth and integration.

Implementation Method 1

The coating is made of pure titanium or a titanium alloy and has been applied to the body by means of a plasma spray

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma spray: Plasma Spray

Implementation Method 2

Forces acting parallel to the surface of the coating are absorbed by the rim

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2149351B1Endoprosthesis component
Publication Date: 2016.11.16 WALDEMAR LINK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2149351B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2149351B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2149351B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The endoprosthesis component has a body (10) made of ceramic material. The body has a form of the endoprosthesis component. The body has a coated surface (12), whose coating is laid out for a contact with human fabric. A protruding edge (14) is formed at the body opposite to the coated surface. The protruding edge has a circumferential boundary for the coating.