Abstract: Pure unalloyed pyrocarbons having wear resistance suitable for use in pyrocarbon-coated heart valve components and having mechanical properties, such as flexural strength and toughness, superior to commercial silicon-alloyed pyrocarbons are deposited in fluidized bed coaters. Coating conditions are carefully controlled so as to maintain a precise bed size within a defined coating enclosure which will assure a substantially constant surface deposition temperature that in turn assures deposition of homogenous unalloyed pyrocarbons having these improved mechanical properties.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 16, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 14, 1997
Assignee:
Medtronic Carbon Implants, Inc.
Inventors:
John L. Ely, Axel D. Haubold, Michael R. Emken, James A. Accuntius