US5545227A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Biocompatible low modulus medical implants
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
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Filing: 1994-06-20
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Granted: 1996-08-13
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Expires: 2014-06-20
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates generally to high strength, low modulus, metallic medical implants and, in particular, a titanium alloy useful in their fabrication which has a relatively low modulus of elasticity (e.g. closer to that of bone than other typically-used metal alloys) and which does not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short term or long term potential adverse effect from a standpoint of biocompatibility. The titanium alloy includes niobium and zirconium in specified amounts with tantalum an optional substitute for niobium.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Davidson
- 👤 Paul Kovacs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/72; A61B17/74; A61B17/80; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C8/00; A61C8/0012; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30767; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/02; A61L27/04; A61L27/06; A61L27/50; A61L27/507; A61L31/00; A61L31/02; A61L31/022; A61L33/00; A61L33/02; A61L33/022; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; C; C22; C22C; C22C14/00; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22038; A61F2/0077; A61F2/32; A61F2/36; A61F2/3662; A61F2/367; A61F2/38; A61F2/3859; A61F2/389; A61F2002/30922; A61F2/3609; A61F2002/3625; A61F2002/3631; A61F2002/3678; A61F2002/368; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00574; A61F2310/0058; A61F2310/00592; A61F2310/00598; A61F2310/00616; A61F2310/00634; A61F2310/0064; A61F2310/00658; A61F2310/0073; A61F2310/00748; A61F2310/00766; A61F2310/00772; A61F2310/00856; A61F2310/0088; A61F2310/00892; A61F2310/00898; A61M25/0043; A61M2025/0062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A biocompatible metallic implant, the implant at least partially fabricated from an alloy consisting essentially of the following alloying components: (a) titanium; (b) from about 10 to about 20 wt. % as the sum of metals selected from the group consisting of niobium and tantalum; and (c) an amount of zirconium sufficient to act as a beta stabilizer by slowing the transformation of beta; wherein toxic elements are excluded except for those trace amounts of impurities and interstitials present in the alloying components or picked up during fabrication of the implant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A biocompatible metallic implant, the implant at least partially fabricated from an alloy consisting essentially of the following alloying components: (a) titanium; (b) from about 10 to about 20 wt. % as the sum of metals selected from the group consisting of niobium and tantalum; and (c) an amount of zirconium sufficient to act as a beta stabilizer by slowing the transformation of beta; wherein toxic elements are excluded except for those trace amounts of impurities and interstitials present in the alloying components or picked up during fabrication of the implant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implant of claim 1, wherein the alloy has an elastic modulus of from about 60 to about 90 GPa.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implant of claim 1, wherein the alloy includes about 74 wt. % titanium, about 13 wt. % niobium and about 13 wt. % zirconium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implant of claim 1 wherein the alloying components are titanium, about 10 to about 20 wt. % niobium, and less than about 20 wt. % zirconium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 1, wherein the alloy has a modulus of elasticity of less than about 85 GPa.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 1 further comprising a wear resistant coating on outer surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A low modulus, biocompatible, metallic implant for implantation in a human body, the implant at least partially fabricated from an alloy consisting of: (a) titanium; (b) from about 10 to about 20 wt. % as the sum of metals selected from the group consisting of niobium and tantalum; and (c) an amount of zirconium sufficient to act as a beta stabilizer by slowing the transformation of beta.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A low modulus, biocompatible, metallic implant for implantation in a human body, the implant at least partially fabricated from an alloy consisting of: (a) titanium; (b) from about 10 to about 20 wt. % as the sum of metals selected from the group consisting of niobium and tantalum; and (c) an amount of zirconium sufficient to act as a beta stabilizer by slowing the transformation of beta.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implant of claim 7 wherein the alloy consists of 74 wt. % titanium, 13 wt. % niobium, and 13 wt. % zirconium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implant of claim 7 further comprising a wear resistant coating on surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implant of claim 7 wherein the zirconium amount is less than about 20 wt. %.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
A biocompatible, metallic implant for implantation in a human body, the implant at least partially fabricated from an alloy consisting essentially of the following alloying components: (a) titanium; (b) from about 35 to about 50 wt. % of the sum of metals selected from the group consisting of niobium and tantalum; and (c) an amount of zirconium sufficient to act as a beta stabilizer by slowing the transformation of beta; wherein toxic elements are excluded except for those trace amounts of impurities and interstitials present in the alloying components or picked up during fabrication of the implant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
A biocompatible, metallic implant for implantation in a human body, the implant at least partially fabricated from an alloy consisting essentially of the following alloying components: (a) titanium; (b) from about 35 to about 50 wt. % of the sum of metals selected from the group consisting of niobium and tantalum; and (c) an amount of zirconium sufficient to act as a beta stabilizer by slowing the transformation of beta; wherein toxic elements are excluded except for those trace amounts of impurities and interstitials present in the alloying components or picked up during fabrication of the implant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implant of claim 11 wherein the amount of zirconium is less than about 20 wt. %.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 11 wherein the modulus of elasticity of the alloy is less than about 85 GPa.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implant of claim 11 further comprising a wear resistant coating on outer surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3906550A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-02-12 | 2000-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-02-12 | 2004-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-13 | 2008-02-12 | 2008-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |