Implants incorporating nanotubes and methods for producing the same
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorsNaim Istephanous, Jeffrey Rouleau
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Abstract
A surface-modified implant comprising a plurality of nanotubes and a process for preparing the surface-modified implant. The metal-containing surface of the implant is modified using an electrochemical anodization process to create a plurality of nanotubes formed of an oxide of the metal on at least a surface of the implant.
Claims35
A surface modified implant having at least a metal-containing surface, comprising a plurality of nanotubes on the surface, where the nanotubes are comprised of an oxide of the metal-containing surface.
A process for modifying a metal-containing surface of an implant to form a plurality of oxide nanotubes on the surface of the implant, comprising:
- providing an electrolyte solution;
- providing a cathode;
- immersing the implant in the electrolyte solution;
- and
- applying a voltage between the implant and the cathode in the electrolyte solution.
A process for modifying the surface of an implant, comprising:
- providing an implant comprising at least a surface containing titanium or titanium alloy;
- immersing the implant and a cathode in an acidic electrolyte solution including hydrofluoric acid;
- and
- applying an electrical potential between the implant and the cathode;
- wherein a plurality of nanotubes of titanium oxide or oxides of the titanium alloy are formed on the surface of the implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.