US5954724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Titanium molybdenum hafnium alloys for medical implants and devices
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-03-27
•
Granted: 1999-09-21
•
Expires: 2017-03-27
Abstract
Abstract This invention describes a biocompatible, radiopaque, high-strength, low-modulus, titanium based alloy having about 2-30 weight percent Mo and up to about 30 weight percent Hf. This alloy is suitable for use in the fabrication of medical implants and devices having low modulus, improved corrosion resistance and surface hardening. To increase strength, Cr, Si and Fe can be added in small amounts as well as increasing levels of interstitial oxygen, nitrogen or carbon. To maintain low elastic modulus, Mo can be partially substituted by Nb.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Davidson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:53
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B53/00; A63B53/04; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30767; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/02; A61L27/04; A61L27/06; A61L27/28; A61L31/00; A61L31/02; A61L31/022; A61L31/08; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0587; C; C22; C22C; C22C14/00; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/16; C22F1/18; C22F1/183; C23; C23C; C23C30/00; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/72; A61B17/7233; A61B17/7258; A61B17/7275; A61B17/80; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/8625; A61B17/8635; A61B17/866; A61C; A61C8/00; A61C8/0012; A61F2/32; A61F2/34; A61F2/36; A61F2/3662; A61F2/367; A61F2/38; A61F2/3859; A61F2/389; A61F2/82; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2817; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/3008; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30332; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30891; A61F2002/30892; A61F2/30907; A61F2002/30909; A61F2002/30922; A61F2/3609; A61F2002/3611; A61F2002/3625; A61F2002/365; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A63B2209/00; A63B53/047; A63B53/12; A63B60/00; A63B60/06; A63B60/08; A63B60/10; F; F16; F16B; F16B35/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A medical implant or device fabricated from a titanium alloy suitable for use in the fabrication of medical implants and devices, said medical implant or device comprising: components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: a) titanium; b) between about 6 to 9 weight percent molybdenum; c) between about 6 to 9 weight percent hafnium; wherein the alloy provides for high-strength and hardness, low elastic modulus, enhanced corrosion resistance, and surface hardening of the medical implant or device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A medical implant or device fabricated from a titanium alloy suitable for use in the fabrication of medical implants and devices, said medical implant or device comprising: components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: a) titanium; b) between about 6 to 9 weight percent molybdenum; c) between about 6 to 9 weight percent hafnium; wherein the alloy provides for high-strength and hardness, low elastic modulus, enhanced corrosion resistance, and surface hardening of the medical implant or device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A medical implant or device of claim 1, wherein the alloy further includes up to about 3 weight percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron, chromium and silicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A medical implant or device of claim 1, wherein additional interstitial strengthening of the alloy is achieved by increased levels of an element selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A medical implant or device of claim 1, wherein the alloy composition is titanium, about 7 weight percent molybdenum and about 7 weight percent hafnium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A medical implant or device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said implant or device is surface hardened by a process selected from the group consisting of oxidation and nitriding to form a hard, diffusion bonded, conversion surface oxide or nitride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The medical implant or device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said implant or device is surface hardened by a process selected from the group consisting of oxygen diffusion hardening and nitrogen diffusion hardening, leaving a metallic-type appearance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The medical implant or device of claims 1, 5 or 6, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the implant or device is coated with a low friction coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The medical implant or device of claims 1, 5 or 6, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the implant or device is coated with an agent to improve hemocompatibility, soft tissue attachment, or bone attachment, said agent selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, anti-thrombogenics, pro-thrombogenics, anti-inflammatories, morphogenic proteins, peptides, growth factors, and stem cells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The medical implant or device of claim 1, wherein the alloy is hot or cold mechanically worked in order to optimize the grain size, strength, low elastic modulus, and toughness of the alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A medical implant or device fabricated from a titanium alloy suitable for use in the fabrication of medical implants and devices, said medical implant or device comprising: components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: a) titanium; b) 2 weight percent molybdenum; c) 6 weight percent hafnium; d) 10 weight percent niobium; wherein the alloy provides for enhanced strength and hardness, low modulus, corrosion resistance and surface hardening of the medical implant or device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A medical implant or device fabricated from a titanium alloy suitable for use in the fabrication of medical implants and devices, said medical implant or device comprising: components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: a) titanium; b) 2 weight percent molybdenum; c) 6 weight percent hafnium; d) 10 weight percent niobium; wherein the alloy provides for enhanced strength and hardness, low modulus, corrosion resistance and surface hardening of the medical implant or device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The medical implant or device of claim 10, wherein the alloy further includes up to about 3 weight percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron, chromium, and silicon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The medical implant or device of claim 10, wherein additional interstitial strengthening of the alloy is achieved by an increase in the level of an element selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The medical implant or device of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said implant or device is surface hardened by a process selected from the group consisting of oxidation and nitriding to form a hard, diffusion bonded, conversion surface oxide or nitride.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The medical implant or device of claims 10, 12 or 13, wherein at least a portion of said implant or device is surface hardened by a process selected from the group consisting of oxygen diffusion hardening and nitrogen diffusion hardening leaving a metallic-type appearance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The medical implant or device of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the implant or device is coated with a low friction coating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The medical implant or device of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the implant or device is coated to improve hemocompatibility, soft tissue attachment, or bone attachment with an agent selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, anti-thrombogenic agents, pro-thrombogenic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, morphogenic proteins, peptides, growth factors, and stem cells.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The medical implant or device of claim 10, wherein the alloy is hot or cold mechanically worked in order to optimize the grain size, strength, low elastic modulus, and toughness of the alloy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
A titanium alloy suitable for use in non-medical device applications comprising; components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: a) titanium; b) between about 6 to 9 weight percent molybdenum; c) between about 6 to 9 weight percent hafnium; wherein the alloy provides for high-strength and hardness, low elastic modulus, enhanced corrosion resistance, and surface hardening.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A titanium alloy suitable for use in non-medical device applications comprising; components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: a) titanium; b) between about 6 to 9 weight percent molybdenum; c) between about 6 to 9 weight percent hafnium; wherein the alloy provides for high-strength and hardness, low elastic modulus, enhanced corrosion resistance, and surface hardening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
A titanium alloy suitable for use in non-medical device applications comprising; components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: a) titanium; b) 2 weight percent molybdenum; c) 6 weight percent hafnium; d) 10 weight percent niobium; wherein the alloy provides for enhanced strength and hardness, low modulus, corrosion resistance and surface hardening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
A titanium alloy suitable for use in non-medical device applications comprising; components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: a) titanium; b) 2 weight percent molybdenum; c) 6 weight percent hafnium; d) 10 weight percent niobium; wherein the alloy provides for enhanced strength and hardness, low modulus, corrosion resistance and surface hardening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The titanium alloy of claim 19, wherein the alloy further includes up to about 3 weight percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron, chromium and silicon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-20 | 2003-03-22 | 2003-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-20 | 2007-03-22 | 2007-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-20 | 2011-03-22 | 2011-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |