Methods of modifying the porous surface of implants
AssigneeBiomet Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsDevendra Gorhe, Donald L. Yakimicki, Philip McBride
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods are provided for modifying a porous surface of an implantable medical device by subjecting the porous surface to a modified micro-arc oxidation process to improve the ability of the medical device to resist microbial growth, to improve the ability of the medical device to adsorb a bioactive agent or a therapeutic agent, and to improve tissue in-growth and tissue on-growth of the implantable medical device.
Claims20
A method of modifying a porous surface of a medical device, the method comprising:
- providing an electrolytic cell including an electrolyte solution at a temperature of about 10° C. or less, wherein the medical device comprises an anode of the electrolytic cell;
- and
- applying a voltage to the electrolytic cell sufficient to cause micro-arc oxidation at the porous surface of the medical device to form a plurality of micro-pores in the porous surface of the medical device.
A method of manufacturing a plurality of anodized metallic substrates, comprising:
- securing an electrode to each one of a plurality of metallic substrates in an electrolyte solution having a temperature of about 10° C. or less;
- providing a cathode in the electrolyte solution;
- and
- sequentially applying a voltage to each one of the plurality of metal substrates, wherein sequentially applying the voltage includes using a controller to control the voltage and the timing of application of the voltage to each one of the plurality of metal substrates.
A method of depositing a therapeutic agent on a medical device having a smooth surface and a porous surface, the method comprising:
- providing an electrolytic cell to produce an electrolytic reaction, the electrolytic cell comprising a container holding an electrolyte solution and the therapeutic agent, a cathode, and an anode comprising the medical device;
- applying a voltage to the electrolytic cell;
- and
- manipulating the voltage to the cathode during the electrolytic reaction or manipulating a current created during the electrolytic reaction to control the deposit of the therapeutic agent on at least one of the smooth surface and the porous surface of the medical device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.