The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 15, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 20, 1997
Larry S Bender, Leesburg, IN (US);
David M Blakemore, Warsaw, IN (US);
Richard C Compton, Warsaw, IN (US);
Richard B Cwik, Mishawaka, IN (US);
Leslie N Gilbertson, Warsaw, IN (US);
Steven M Humphrey, Warsaw, IN (US);
Steven C Kitch, Akron, IN (US);
Kris K Merchant, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Tim A Mosher, Warsaw, IN (US);
Robin J Reed, Warsaw, IN (US);
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, , US;
Abstract
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.