Enhanced biocompatible implants and alloys
OwnerThomas K. Fehring, John Harvie Chaffin, III +1inventors
InventorsThomas K. Fehring, John Harvie Chaffin, III, Richard Lee Kennedy
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Abstract
The invention provides improved biocompatible implant alloys and methods of constructing artificial implants having improved long term wear properties. Cobalt-base biocompatible implant alloys provided according to the invention are essentially free of carbide, nitride and sigma second phase particles, and can have hardness and strength properties equivalent to or greater than the standard CoCrMo alloy with significantly improved fatigue life and superior frictional contact properties with UHMWPE. Artificial implant constructions and methods provided according to another aspect of the invention are capable of eliminating latent defects that can promote long term failure of joint implants.
Claims19
An artificial implant comprising at least one component formed of a biocompatible metal alloy, said biocompatible metal alloy being essentially free of carbide, nitride, and sigma second phase particles and having a hardness greater than about 40 Rc, a yield strength greater than about 120, and a grain size finer than about ASTM 10.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.