Laser-produced implants
AssigneeHowmedica Osteonics Corp.
InventorsEric Jones, Christopher J. Sutcliffe, Aiguo Wang, Daniel E. Lawrynowicz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of producing an orthopedic implant including the steps of building a flat open model of at least a portion of an implant. The flat open model may be built using a selective laser sinter process. The flat open model preferably includes at least one groove along either a first surface or a second surface of the model. Next a force may be applied to the flat open model at predetermined locations to thereby cause the model to bend and assume a shape similar to a desired result. The now bent model may be resurfaced by either applying additional material such that the bent flat open model assumes the shape of a desired implant or the bent open model may be snap fit to an additional element.
Claims11
A method of producing an orthopedic implant comprising the steps of:
- providing a flat open model having opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the flat open model has opposing first and second surfaces and at least one groove along the first surface;
- depositing at least a layer of powder on the first surface of the flat open model;
- building on at least a portion of the first surface of the flat open model using a high energy beam;
- applying a force to the flat open model at predetermined locations to thereby cause the flat open model to bend and assume a shape similar to a portion of an implant;
- and
- resurfacing the second surface of the bent flat open model by applying additional material such that the bent flat open model assumes the shape of a desired implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.