Nickel titanium martensitic steel for surgical needles
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsLee P. Bendel, Timothy A. Sardelis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A needle alloy wherein the nickel content is between 6.3% and 9.5%, the chromium content is between 11.5% and 12.5% and the molydenum content is between 3% and 4%. In addition, tantalum and titanium should be present at a combined level of no more than 2.1%. Favorable results from this alloy cause needles to have a greater than 400,000 psi ultimate tensile strength.
Claims26
A martensitic stainless steel alloy comprised of about 111/2% to about 121/2% chromium by weight, between about 6.3% and about 9.5% nickel by weight, molybdenum about 3% to 4%, and the combination of titanium and tantalum ranging from about 1.5% to about 2.4%, with the remainder comprising iron and trace elements, containing less than about 0.1% carbon.
A needle formed from martensitic stainless steel alloy comprised of about 111/2% to about 121/2% chromium by weight, between 6.3% and about 9.5% nickel by weight, molybdenum about 3% to 4%, and the combination of titanium and tantalum ranging from about 1.5% to about 2.4%, with the remainder comprising iron and trace elements, containing less than about 0.1% carbon.
A maraged stainless steel alloy comprised of about 111/2% to about 121/2% chromium by weight, between about 6.3% and about 9.5% nickel by weight, molybdenum between about 3% and 4%, titanium about 2.1% by weight, with the remainder comprising iron and trace elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.