US 2013/0075267 A1 · Metal Treatment

Abstract

Metal implants (10) are treated by anodising the surface (11, 12) in contact with an electrolyte, and then briefly subjecting the anodised surface to a reversed voltage. During a first anodising stage the surfaces are passivated, while during a subsequent anodising stage pits are formed in the passivating surface layer. Rough portions (15) of the surface, in particular portions produced by plasma spraying of metal powder, are sealed with a watertight cover (20) during at least part of the anodising process. After rinsing, biocidal metal ions are subsequently absorbed into the surface of the implant. This provides the implant with biocidal properties. The use of the cover (20) enables a more uniform geometric distribution of biocidal metal ions to be achieved.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method of treating a metal implant, the implant having a part of its surface provided with a rough metal finish, so as to incorporate a biocidal material in leachable form in the surface, the method comprising:

(a) enclosing the part of the surface with the rough metal finish with a watertight cover;
(b) contacting the metal object with an anodising electrolyte, and applying an anodising voltage to the metal object to passivate the metal by forming an anodised integral surface layer on the metal object;
(c) then removing the watertight cover;
and, either before or after step (c),
(d) contacting the anodised metal object with a solution containing a biocidal material so as to incorporate said biocidal material into the surface layer.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Metal Treatment

Life of this patent

Metal Treatment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13