Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

Abstract: Ceramic implants, such as spinal implants, may comprise a dense shell and a porous core. In some implementations, methods for manufacturing the implants may comprise one or more stages at which the core material abuts the shell so as to form a mechanical attachment therewith while both the core and the shell are in a green state. The core and the shell may be fired together, and the resultant implant may, in some embodiments, comprise a unitary piece of ceramic material. Some embodiments may comprise silicon nitride ceramic materials.

Abstract: Ceramic orthopedic implants may have one or more dense inner layers and one or more porous outer layers. Methods for manufacturing the implants may include one or more stages during which the dense inner layer(s) are partially compressed. At least one porous outer layer may include coating particles that are present at a surface of one or more inner layer(s) while pressure is applied to attach the coating particles to the inner layer(s) and to further compress one or more of the inner layer(s). Various layers may be formed until an implant, or other device, is formed having the desired density gradient and/or other properties, as disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of biomedical implants and other devices made up of a composite of materials comprising metal and/or metal alloys and ceramics. In some embodiments, a modular biomedical implant may comprise a first metallic member comprising at least one of a metal and a metal alloy, a second metallic member comprising at least one of a metal and a metal alloy, and a ceramic sleeve positioned in between the first metallic member and the second metallic member so as to at least substantially prevent contact between the first metallic member and the second metallic member.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods relating to biomedical implants and other devices made up of a composite of materials comprising metal and/or metal alloys and ceramics. In some embodiments, a modular biomedical implant may comprise a first metallic member comprising at least one of a metal and a metal alloy, a second metallic member comprising at least one of a metal and a metal alloy, and a monolithic ceramic insert comprising a ceramic material positioned in between the first metallic member and the second metallic member so as to at least substantially prevent contact between the first metallic member and the second metallic member.

Abstract: Ceramic materials comprising charge-compensating dopants and related methods. In some embodiments, the materials may comprise dopants such as Y2O3, Gd2O3, Nb2O5, and/or Ta2O5. Some embodiments may comprise a molar concentration of Y2O3 and/or Gd2O3 that is at least approximately equal to the molar concentration of Nb2O5 and/or Ta2O5. Certain embodiments and implementations may comprise particular, unique concentrations or concentration ranges of various compounds/materials in order to improve performance for use of such ceramic materials as biomedical implants.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods relating to biomedical implants and other devices made up of unique and improved alumina-zirconia ceramic materials. In an example of a method according to an implementation of the invention, a slurry is prepared, compressed, and fired to obtain a fired ceramic piece comprising at least aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide, yttrium oxide, cerium oxide, strontium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, and calcium oxide. Some embodiments and implementations may comprise selected concentrations of one or more such compounds to yield certain preferred results.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for improving the performance of articulating prostheses. Some embodiments may comprise a first component comprising a first articulating surface and a second component comprising a second articulating surface configured for articulating with the first articulating surface. One or both of the first and second components may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material. One or both of the first and second articulating surfaces may comprise a coating that is configured to accomplish at least one of increasing the hardness of the first articulating interface surface, reducing the coefficient of friction between the first and second articulating surfaces, decreasing the effects of wearing between the first and second articulating surfaces, and decreasing the intensity of audible noises produced by the endoprosthesis resulting from articulation between the first and second articulating surfaces during use.

Abstract: Ceramic materials comprising charge-compensating dopants and related methods. In some embodiments, the materials may comprise dopants such as Y2O3, Gd2O3, Nb2O5, and/or Ta2O5. Some embodiments may comprise a molar concentration of Y2O3 and/or Gd2O3 that is at least approximately equal to the molar concentration of Nb2O5 and/or Ta2O5. Certain embodiments and implementations may comprise particular, unique concentrations or concentration ranges of various compounds/materials in order to improve performance for use of such ceramic materials as biomedical implants.

Abstract: Ceramic orthopedic implants may have one or more dense inner layers and one or more porous outer layers. Methods for manufacturing the implants may include one or more stages during which the dense inner layer(s) are partially compressed. At least one porous outer layer may include coating particles that are present at a surface of one or more inner layer(s) while pressure is applied to attach the coating particles to the inner layer(s) and to further compress one or more of the inner layer(s). Various layers may be formed until an implant, or other device, is formed having the desired density gradient and/or other properties, as disclosed herein.

Abstract: Ceramic implants, such as spinal implants, may comprise a dense shell and a porous core. In some implementations, methods for manufacturing the implants may comprise one or more stages at which the core material abuts the shell so as to form a mechanical attachment therewith while both the core and the shell are in a green state. The core and the shell may be fired together, and the resultant implant may, in some embodiments, comprise a unitary piece of ceramic material. Some embodiments may comprise silicon nitride ceramic materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods relating to biomedical implants and other devices made up of unique and improved alumina-zirconia ceramic materials. In an example of a method according to an implementation of the invention, a slurry is prepared, compressed, and fired to obtain a fired ceramic piece comprising at least aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide, yttrium oxide, cerium oxide, strontium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, and calcium oxide. Some embodiments and implementations may comprise selected concentrations of one or more such compounds to yield certain preferred results.

Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of a biomedical implant. In some implementations, the method may comprise providing a biomedical implant material block. The biomedical implant material block may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material. The surface chemistry of the biomedical implant material block may be altered to improve the antibacterial characteristics of the biomedical implant material block. In some implementations, the surface chemistry may be altered by firing the biomedical implant material block in a nitrogen-rich environment or otherwise increasing the nitrogen content in the transitional oxide layer of at least a portion of the biomedical implant material block. The surface of the biomedical implant material block may also, or alternatively, be roughened to improve antibacterial characteristics of the implant.

Abstract: Oral implants and related methods, systems, and apparatus. Some embodiments may comprise a silicon nitride bone anchor configured to be integrated with and affixed to alveolar bone of a patient's oral bone cavity. The bone anchor may comprise a core and an outer layer comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material. The outer layer may have a density less than a density of the core. An anchor abutment may be coupled with the bone anchor, and may be configured to protrude above epithelial tissue of the patient's oral cavity and provide a substrate for positioning and fixation of a dental component, such as a crown or bridge.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for improving the performance of articulating prostheses. Some embodiments may comprise a first component comprising a first articulating surface and a second component comprising a second articulating surface configured for articulating with the first articulating surface. One or both of the first and second components may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material. One or both of the first and second articulating surfaces may comprise a coating that is configured to accomplish at least one of increasing the hardness of the first articulating interface surface, reducing the coefficient of friction between the first and second articulating surfaces, decreasing the effects of wearing between the first and second articulating surfaces, and decreasing the intensity of audible noises produced by the endoprosthesis resulting from articulation between the first and second articulating surfaces during use.

Abstract: A total disc implant (TDI) is provided for total replacement of a spinal disc or discs in a human patient or other mammal, wherein the TDI is designed to maintain a substantially full range of natural motion (ROM) following implantation. The TDI generally comprises, in one preferred form, upper and lower end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies, with an intervening insert disposed therebetween. The end plates each include elongated part-cylindrical surfaces oriented, generally perpendicular to each other, with one of the surfaces extending in an anterior-posterior direction and the other extending in a medial-lateral direction. The intervening insert defines concave upper and lower part-cylindrical seats oriented, for respectively engaging these part-cylindrical surfaces, wherein these part-cylindrical seats are defined by offset radii to include a somewhat flattened central base region merging smoothly with upwardly curving radiused sides.