Institut Straumann Ag

Straumann Holding Ag

Instit Straumann

Samuel G Steinemann

James Percival Simpson

Lutz Claes

James Parcival Simpson

The present invention relates to a binary single phase titanium-zirconium alloy suitable for the production of surgical implants. The alloy includes a zirconium content of less than 25% but more than 5% by weight, and 0.1% to 0.3% by weight of oxygen as a strength enhancing additive, and not more than 1% by weight of other strength enhancing additives and technical impurities.

Binary titanium-zirconium alloy for surgical implants and a suitable manufacturing process

An osteogenic implant with improved osteointegration properties, this implant being made of titanium metal or a titanium-based alloy and being suitable for implantation in bones, said implant having a roughened surface, which in the hydroxylated state has been at least partially covered with a compound which comprises in the molecule at least two groups which are, independently of one another, a primary amino group, a secondary amino group, a carboxyl group, an amide group, a phosphano group and/or hydroxyl, or with a mixture of such compounds.

Surface-modified implants

The invention relates to an osteophilic implant having improved osteointegration characteristics. The implant consists of titanium or a titanium alloy and is suitable for the implantation in bones. The implant is provided with a rouge, hydroxylated and hydrophilic surface which is at least sealed in a gastight and liquidtight covering. The interior of said covering is provided with an inert atmosphere, preferably consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and/or inert gas and/or is at least partially filled with purified water which optionally contains additives. The invention also relates to a method for producing the same.

Osteophilic implants

The prevailing opinion, supported by observations, has been in the art, that any implant of titanium or of another similar material is to have a contact surface roughness of more than 20 .mu.m to yield a good bond between bone and implant. The present invention is based upon the recognition, that the bond between bone and implant may be substantially improved by providing the contact surface of the implant with a micro-roughness of 2 .mu.m or less. According to the method of the invention such micro-roughness can be readily produced by subjecting the contact surface to pickling in a reducing acid.

Metallic implant anchorable to bone tissue for replacing a broken or

The alloplastic material comprises bundles of metallic fibers loosely held together. The fibers preferably consist of a titanium-based alloy containing at least one of the metals niobium, tantalum, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum and aluminum, and may be provided with a coat of an organic substance selected to be absorbed inside a human or animal body. On the outer surfaces of the fibers consisting of the named alloy there may arise layers of oxides effective to protect the metal beneath against chemical influences taking place in the body. Moreover, the metals present in the fibers in the form of alloy components are not toxic and enable a good bond with natural tissue to take place. Without the optional coat, the fiber thickness has a value of less than 20 micrometers and preferably 15 micrometers or less. Thus, subjecting the fibers to bending, as takes place with alloplastic material inside the body, will not cause any fatigue fractures.

Alloplastic material for producing an artificial soft tissue component

The cable comprises one or more fiber bundles having 100 or more fibers per bundle, the diameter of the fibers having a value smaller than 20 micrometers, and the fibers preferably consisting of an alloy containing titanium as base metal and, in addition, at least one metal from the group including niobium, tantalum, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, iron and aluminum. The bundle may be wound around the longitudinal axis of the cable and/or plaited with other bundles. Furthermore, the fibers of a bundle may be twisted (snaked), circumstances permitting. Each bundle and its fibers should, however, run to advantage in a way to have the length of the bundle as well as the length of each fiber of the bundle preferably be not more than 50% and, for example, not more than 30% longer than the cable. The fibers may be bent down to very small radii of curvature, without any fatigue failures taking place, while a relatively low electrical resistance of the cable may be achieved. The fibers are covered on their outer surfaces by a metal oxide layer, effective to insulate the fibers, in addition to the normally provided rubber-elastic insulation.

Electrical cable for performing stimulations and/or measurements inside

The invention relates to an elongate plate for osteosynthesis. The plate comprises at least two screw holes and a respective hole-free longitudinal section separating each neighboring pair of the screw holes. A spacing, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plate, between two mutually opposite surfaces of at least two sections containing the screw holes is greater than that between two mutually opposite surfaces of the hole-free sections. The plate exhibits at least in the region of the screw holes a bending resistance amount W=I/e along a plane extending substantially centrally of the plate in the longitudinal direction of the plate and intersecting substantially perpendicularly that surface of the plate which is intended to rest on a bone. The bending resistance moment W=I/e lies between a lower and an upper limiting value, the lower limiting value being at most 30% smaller than the upper limiting value, wherein I is the polar moment of inertia, and e is the maximum value of the distance of the outline bounding the cross-sectional area from a neutral surface of the plate.

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St. Sulpice, Switzerland

Samuel G Steinemann