Zirconium oxide coated prosthesis for wear and corrosion resistance
AssigneeRichards Medical Company
InventorJames A. Davidson
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Abstract
Orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloy coated with zirconium oxide to provide low friction, highly wear resistant coatings especially useful in artificial joints, such as hip joints, knee joints, elbows, etc. The invention zirconium oxide coated prostheses are also useful in that the zirconium oxide coatings provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prosthesis. Such protection can be extended by the use of oxidized porous coatings of zirconium or zirconium alloy beads or wire mesh into which bone spicules may grow so that the prosthesis may be integrated into the living skeleton.
Claims21
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising:
- (a) a prosthesis body formed of zirconium or zirconium alloy comprising an implant portion for inserting into the body tissue of the patient;
- (b) a bearing surface comprising at least one condyle on the prosthesis body;
- (c) a tibial component formed of an organic polymer or polymer-based composite and adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface;
- and
- (d) a thin coating of blue-black or black zirconium oxide directly on the bearing surface of the condyle portion for reducing wear of the organic polymer or polymer-based composite tibial component.
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising:
- (a) a hip prosthesis body for implantation into a femor comprising a head portion formed of zirconium or zirconium alloy;
- (b) a bearing surface on the head portion of the prosthesis body;
- (c) an acetabular cup having an inner surface formed of an organic polymer or a polymer-based composite, said inner surface being adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface on the head portion;
- and
- (d) a thin coating of blue-black or black zirconium oxide directly on the bearing surface of the head portion for reducing wear of the acetabular cup inner surface.
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising:
- (a) a prosthesis body formed of zirconium or zirconium alloy comprising an implant portion for insertion into the body tissue of the patient;
- (b) a bearing surface on the prosthesis body, the bearing surface being sized and shaped to engage or cooperate with a second bearing surface on another prosthesis portion, said second bearing surface being formed of an organic polymer or polymer-based composite;
- and
- (c) a coating of blue-black or black zirconium oxide from about 1 to about 5 microns in thickness on the bearing surface of the prosthesis body for reducing wear on the organic polymer or polymer-based second bearing surface of said another prosthesis portion.
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising:
- (a) a prosthesis body formed of zirconium or zirconium alloy comprising an implant portion for inserting into the body tissue of the patient;
- (b) a bearing surface on the prosthesis body;
- (c) a counter-bearing surface formed of an organic polymer or polymer-based composite and adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface;
- and
- (d) a thin coating of blue-black or black zirconium oxide directly on the bearing surface for reducing wear of the organic polymer or polymer-based composite counter-bearing surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.