Diamicron, Inc.

Dimicron, Inc.

US Synthetic Corporation

Troy J Medford

Clayton Frank Gardinier

Richard H Dixon

Bill Jordan Pope

Jeffery Karl Taylor

Dean C Blackburn

Victoriano Carvajal

David P Harding

Mark E Richards

Michael Alexander Vail

Kenneth M Jensen

Louis M Pope

Bao-Khang Ngoc Nguyen

Alfred S Despres

A Ben Curnow

German A Loesener

Trenton T Walker

Tim Bunton

Clayton F Gardinier

Randy S Cannon

Victorian Carvajal

Victoriano Carbajal

Art B Curnow

Peter C Cook

Methods of forming larger sintered compacts of PCD and other sintered ultrahard materials are disclosed. Improved solvent metal compositions and layering of the un-sintered construct allow for sintering of thicker and larger high quality sintered compacts. Jewelry may also be made from sintered ultrahard materials including diamond, carbides, and boron nitrides. Increased biocompatibility is achieved through use of a sintering metal containing tin. Methods of sintering perform shapes are provided.

Thick sintered polycrystalline diamond and sintered jewelry

Polycrystalline diamond compacts for use in artificial joints achieve reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility through the use of solvent metal formulations containing tin and through the control of solvent metal pore size, particularly in inner layers of the compact. Solvent metal formulations containing tin have been discovered which provide sintering ability, part strength, and grind resistance comparable to levels achieved by using CoCrMo solvent metals. It has been discovered that limiting the solvent metal pore size in the diamond layers minimizes or eliminates the occurrence of micro cracks in the solvent metal and significantly reduces the corrosion of the compact as manifested by the release of heavy metal ions from the compact. Polycrystalline diamond compacts which utilize both the solvent metal formulations containing tin and the control of pore sizes achieve significantly reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility compared to prior art polycrystalline diamond compacts.

Use of Sn and pore size control to improve biocompatibility in polycrystalline diamond compacts

An improved composition of titanium sintered titanium carbide is provided. The composition provides an improved degree of strength and toughness and improved compatibility with medical imaging. The composition provides good compatibility with sintered polycrystalline diamond, achieving a good mechanical fit in terms of the combined compressibility and thermal expansion during the sintering process to minimize stress or cracking between the substrate and the diamond layer.

Use of Ti and Nb cemented in TiC in prosthetic joints

Use of SN and pore size control to improve biocompatibility in polycrystalline diamond compacts

Articulating diamond-surfaced spinal implants are disclosed. The implants use sintered polycrystalline articulation surfaces which are attached to spinal endplates and which are implanted to replace damaged spinal joints. The implants provide a long wearing and biocompatible articulation surface. Materials which may be used to make the spinal implants and manufacturing and finishing techniques for making the implants are also disclosed.

Articulating diamond-surfaced spinal implants

Use of Ti and Nb cemented in TiC in prosthetic joints, such as prosthetic joint components made from sintered superhard materials.

Method for making a sintered superhard prosthetic joint component

Carbides as substrates in prosthetic joints, particularly in sintered polycrystalline diamond compacts and sintered cubic boron nitride compacts.

Method of making components for prosthetic joints

Articulating diamond-surfaced spinal implants are disclosed. Materials which may be used to make the spinal implants and manufacturing and finishing techniques for making the implants are also disclosed.

Brut polishing of superhard materials to remove positive asperities by use of pressure and heat.

Brut polishing of superhard materials

CoCrMo can be used to enhance biocompatibility of a sintered polycrystalline diamond compact.

Use of CoCrMo to augment biocompatibility in polycrystalline diamond compacts

Use of gradient layers and stress modifiers in superhard constructs.

Use of gradient layers and stress modifiers to fabricate composite constructs

A cutting element insert is provided for use with drills used in the drilling and boring through of subterranean formations. This new insert has a modified diamond surface shape having ridges, facets and/or other discontinuities on the cutting surface topography, formed on or about an otherwise non-planar shape, such as spherical, hemispherical, conical or the like. This modified diamond layer shape provides increased cutting stress at the diamond/rock interface, thereby causing the rock to fail with less over all drilling energy being required, while simultaneously introducing little additional stresses to the cutter or insert.

Growing community of inventors

Pleasant Grove, UT, United States of America

Troy J Medford