US6652586B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prosthetic devices employing oxidized zirconium and other abrasion resistant surfaces contacting surfaces of cross-linked polyethylene
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
•
Filing: 2001-07-18
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Granted: 2003-11-25
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Expires: 2021-07-18
Abstract
Abstract Orthopedic implants which includes the components of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys having surfaces coated with oxidized zirconium or alternatively, other orthopedic implants comprising abrasion resistant surfaces contacting surfaces of cross-linked polyethylene are disclosed. Such implants provide low friction, highly wear resistant coatings especially useful in artificial joints, such as hip joints, knee joints, elbows, etc., but also useful in other implant devices as well.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon Hunter
- 👤 Shilesh C. Jani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/28; A61L27/30; A61L31/00; A61L31/08; A61L31/082; A61L31/088; A61L27/14; A61L27/16; A61L27/306; A61L31/04; A61L31/048; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/38; C; C08; C08L; C08L23/00; C08L23/02; C08L23/04; C08L23/06; C08L2312/00; C08L2312/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising: (a) a prosthesis body comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy, said prosthesis body 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 comprising cross-linked polyethylene having a surface adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface; and, (d) a thin coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium directly on the bearing surface of the condyle portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising: (a) a prosthesis body comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy, said prosthesis body 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 comprising cross-linked polyethylene having a surface adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface; and, (d) a thin coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium directly on the bearing surface of the condyle portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said thin blue-black or black oxidized zirconium coating is from about 1 to about 20 microns thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said thin blue-black or black oxidized zirconium coating is from about 1 to about 5 microns thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the implant portion of the prosthesis body further comprises an irregular surface structure adapted to accommodate tissue in-growth on a portion of the prosthesis body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The prosthesis of claim 4 wherein the irregular surface structure comprises zirconium or zirconium alloy beads attached to the outer surface of the prosthesis body, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the beads is oxidized to blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The prosthesis of claim 4 wherein the irregular surface structure comprises zirconium or zirconium alloy wire mesh connected to the outer surface of the prosthesis body, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the mesh is oxidized to blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the prosthesis body further comprises at least one substrate layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the prosthesis body further comprises at least one substrate layer having a depth-dependent variable concentration of zirconium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising: (a) a hip prosthesis body for implantation into a femur comprising a head portion, said head portion comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy; (b) a bearing surface on the head portion of the prosthesis body; (c) an acetabular cup having an inner surface comprising cross-linked polyethylene, 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 oxidized zirconium directly on the bearing surface of the head portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising: (a) a hip prosthesis body for implantation into a femur comprising a head portion, said head portion comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy; (b) a bearing surface on the head portion of the prosthesis body; (c) an acetabular cup having an inner surface comprising cross-linked polyethylene, 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 oxidized zirconium directly on the bearing surface of the head portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein said thin blue-black or black oxidized zirconium coating is from about 1 to about 20 microns thick.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein said thin blue-black or black oxidized zirconium coating is from about 1 to about 5 microns thick.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein the prosthesis body further comprises an irregular surface structure adapted to accommodate tissue in-growth on a portion of the prosthesis body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The prosthesis of claim 12 wherein the irregular surface structure comprises zirconium or zirconium alloy beads connected to the outer surface of the prosthesis body, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the beads is oxidized to blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The prosthesis of claim 12 wherein the irregular surface structure comprises zirconium or zirconium alloy wire mesh connected to the outer surface of the prosthesis body, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the mesh is oxidized to blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein the hip prosthesis body further comprises at least one substrate layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The prosthesis of claim 9 wherein the hip prosthesis body further comprises at least one substrate layer having a depth-dependent variable concentration of zirconium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
108 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising a first prosthesis portion and a second prosthesis portion; (a) said first prosthesis portion comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy, said prosthesis body comprising an implant portion for insertion into the body tissue of the patient; (b) a bearing surface on the first prosthesis portion, the bearing surface being sized and shaped to engage or cooperate with a second bearing surface on said second prosthesis portion, said second bearing surface comprising cross-linked polyethylene; and, (c) a coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium from about 1 to about 5 microns in thickness on the bearing surface of the first prosthesis portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising a first prosthesis portion and a second prosthesis portion; (a) said first prosthesis portion comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy, said prosthesis body comprising an implant portion for insertion into the body tissue of the patient; (b) a bearing surface on the first prosthesis portion, the bearing surface being sized and shaped to engage or cooperate with a second bearing surface on said second prosthesis portion, said second bearing surface comprising cross-linked polyethylene; and, (c) a coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium from about 1 to about 5 microns in thickness on the bearing surface of the first prosthesis portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The prosthesis of claim 17 wherein the first prosthesis portion is a hip joint having a head portion as a bearing surface and wherein said another prosthesis portion is an acetabular cup, said head portion being adapted to cooperate with the inner surface of the acetabular cup, wherein said inner surface of said acetabular cup is also said second bearing surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
The prosthesis of claim 17 wherein the first prosthesis portion is a knee joint and the bearing surface of the prosthesis body comprises at least one condyle, and wherein said another prosthesis portion comprises a tibial component, said at least one condyle being adapted to cooperate with said tibial component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The prosthesis of claim 17 wherein the first prosthesis portion further comprises an irregular surface structure adapted to accommodate tissue in-growth on at least a portion of the prosthesis body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The prosthesis of claim 20 wherein the irregular surface structure comprises zirconium or zirconium alloy beads connected to the outer surface of the first prosthesis portion, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the beads is oxidized to blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The prosthesis of claim 20 wherein the irregular surface structure comprises zirconium or zirconium alloy wire mesh connected to the outer surface of the first prosthesis portion, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the mesh is oxidized to blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis of claim 17 wherein the first prosthesis portion further comprises at least one substrate layer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The prosthesis of claim 17 wherein the first prosthesis portion further comprises at least one substrate layer having a depth-dependent variable concentration of zirconium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
72 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising: (a) a prosthesis body comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy, said prosthesis body 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 comprising cross-linked polyethylene and adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface; and, (d) a thin coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium directly on the bearing surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
72 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising: (a) a prosthesis body comprising zirconium or zirconium alloy, said prosthesis body 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 comprising cross-linked polyethylene and adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface; and, (d) a thin coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium directly on the bearing surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 25 wherein said thin blue-black or black oxidized zirconium coating is from about 1 to about 20 microns thick.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 25 wherein said thin blue-black or black oxidized zirconium coating is from about 1 to about 5 microns thick.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The prosthesis of claim 25 wherein the implant portion of the prosthesis body further comprises an irregular surface structure adapted to accommodate tissue in-growth on a portion of the prosthesis body.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The prosthesis of claim 28 wherein the irregular surface structure comprises zirconium or zirconium alloy beads attached to the outer surface of the prosthesis body, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the beads is oxidized to blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
The prosthesis of claim 28 wherein the irregular surface structure comprises zirconium or zirconium alloy wire mesh connected to the outer surface of the prosthesis body, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the mesh is oxidized to blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The prosthesis of claim 25 wherein the prosthesis body further comprises at least one substrate layer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 25 wherein the prosthesis body further comprises at least one substrate layer having a depth-dependent variable concentration of zirconium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
61 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising: (a) a prosthesis body comprising a substrate material, said prosthesis body comprising an implant portion for inserting into the body tissue of the patient; (b) a bearing surface on the prosthesis body comprised of a ceramic material; and, (c) a counter-bearing surface comprising cross-linked polyethylene and adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
61 words
A prosthesis for implantation in a patient, comprising: (a) a prosthesis body comprising a substrate material, said prosthesis body comprising an implant portion for inserting into the body tissue of the patient; (b) a bearing surface on the prosthesis body comprised of a ceramic material; and, (c) a counter-bearing surface comprising cross-linked polyethylene and adapted to cooperate with the bearing surface.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthesis of claim 33 wherein said ceramic material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
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