Bristol-myers Squibb Compnay

Kris K Merchant

Leslie N Gilbertson

Richard C Compton

Steven C Kitch

Robin J Reed

David M Blakemore

Tim A Mosher

Richard B Cwik

Larry S Bender

Steven M Humphrey

An orthopaedic implant is forged from a metallic body consisting of a cobalt-chromium alloy. The forged implant is descaled by blasting the implant with a particulate blasting agent at a momentum which is sufficient to remove scale formed on the implant during the forging step but insufficient to otherwise cause major structural surface deformation to the implant. The descaled implant is electro-chemical polished by submersing the implant in an acid bath having a temperature of between approximately 80.degree. F. and 90.degree. F. The acid bath includes approximately 45% sulfuric acid and 50% phosphoric acid. Direct current electrical power ranging between approximately 10 volts D.C. and 13 volts D.C. is applied to the implant. The polished implant is ultrasonically cleaned. The implant is inspected with a fluorescent penetrant to determine whether surface defects exist in the implant.

Process of manufacturing a cobalt-chromium orthopaedic implant without

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Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Kris K Merchant