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:
Mar. 08, 2005
Filed:
May. 09, 2002
Stephen M. Blinn, North Reading, MA (US);
Barry M. Zide, Medway, MA (US);
Vincent Difilippo, North Chelmsford, MA (US);
Stephen M. Blinn, North Reading, MA (US);
Barry M. Zide, Medway, MA (US);
Vincent DiFilippo, North Chelmsford, MA (US);
Exogenesis Biomedical Technology, Billerica, MA (US);
Abstract
Regardless of the materials used in an artificial joint component design, the present invention applies gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) technology in order to modify the component's surface(s) so as to increase lubrication between contact surfaces, thereby substantially reducing wear debris, osteolysis complications, and accelerated wear failure. The approach of the surface modification comprises an atomic level surface patterning utilizing GCIB to apply a predetermined pattern to the surface(s) of the joint implant to reduce frictional wear at the interface of the surfaces. A reduction in wear debris by GCIB patterning on any surface(s) of a joint prosthesis reduces accelerated failure due to wear and osteolysis and results in a substantial cost savings to the healthcare system, and reduces patient pain and suffering.