Direct application of pressure for bonding porous coatings to substrate materials used in orthopaedic implants
AssigneeZimmer Technology, Inc.
InventorsBrad L. Rauguth, William G. Hutchison, Clarence M. Panchison
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Abstract
A method for constantly controlling a direct application of pressure for bonding porous coatings to substrate materials used in orthopaedic implants. The direct pressure is applied to an interface between the porous coating and the substrate material via a pressure application mechanism unaffected by heat and air pressure conditions of the bonding process. The pressure application mechanism maintains a pressure on the implant which is constantly controlled throughout the bonding process.
Claims20
A method for bonding a coating to a substrate to form an orthopaedic implant, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an implant including at least a substrate and a coating;
- applying pressure to the implant;
- constantly controlling the applied pressure;
- and
- bonding the implant during the applying step.
A method for bonding a coating to a substrate to form an orthopaedic implant, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an implant including at least a substrate and a coating;
- supplying heat to the implant;
- and
- applying pressure to the implant to bond the coating to the substrate, the applied pressure being independent of the supplied heat.
A method for bonding a coating to a substrate to form an orthopaedic implant, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an implant including at least a substrate and a coating;
- placing the implant inside a furnace;
- heating the implant inside the furnace;
- and
- applying pressure to the implant inside the furnace to bond the coating to the substrate, the applied pressure being controlled by a controller that operates independently of the furnace.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.