Smith & Nephew Richards Inc.

Other

Paul Kovacs

James A Davidson

Ajit K Mishra

Kenneth P Daigle

The invention provides dental devices (including implants, abutments, bridges, screws, and orthodontic appliances) that are fabricated from low modulus, biocompatible, non-toxic Ti-Nb-Zr alloys. The dental implants provide a biomaterial-to-bone interface that results in significant attachment between implant and bone. The implants may be supplied with a porous coating or macro-texture to further promote bone attachment and stabilization of the implant in the jaw bone. Other orthodontic appliances such as brackets and wires have improved elastic toughness and corrosion resistance so that they provide superior performance and corrosion characteristics.

Biocompatible, low modulus dental devices

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.

Biocompatible low modulus medical implants

Passivated implants and passivation methods that provide superior corrosion resistance and surface performance characteristics as compared to conventional nitric acid passivation are disclosed. The method uses either the spontaneous or galvanic passivation of metallic prosthetic implants in aqueous alkali salt solutions containing non-aggressive oxyanions to produce a thin and uniform passive coating on the metal implant, thereby rendering the implant more stable in the biological environment.

Passivation methods for metallic medical implants

A biocompatible titanium alloy with low elastic modulus containing titanium, about 10-20 wt. % or 35 to about 50 wt. % niobium and up to 20 wt. % zirconium useful for fabricating of orthopedic implants. This invention relates generally to high strength, biocompatible alloys suitable for use as a material for a medical prosthetic implant and, in particular, a titanium alloy which has a relatively low modulus of elasticity (e.g. closer to that of bone than other typically-used metal alloys) and does not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short term or long term potential adverse effect from a standpoint or biocompatibility.

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Memphis, TN, United States of America

Paul Kovacs