Patents Assigned to Diamicron, Inc.
  • Multi-lobe artificial spine joint
    Patent number: 8163023
    Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bao-Khang Ngoc Nguyen, David P. Harding
  • Articulating diamond-surfaced spinal implants
    Patent number: 8016889
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc
    Inventors: Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F Gardinier, Troy J. Medford, Dean C. Blackburn, Jeffery K. Taylor, Bill J. Pope
  • Use of a metal and Sn as a solvent material for the bulk crystallization and sintering of diamond to produce biocompatbile biomedical devices
    Patent number: 7678325
    Abstract: A combination of a metal and Sn may be used as a solvent material for bulk crystallization and sintering of single crystal diamond to form a biocompatible and corrosion-resistant biomedical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton F. Gardinier
  • Bearings, races and components thereof having diamond and other superhard surfaces
    Patent number: 7665898
    Abstract: Diamond bearings and bearing components are disclosed. Some embodiments of the bearings and bearing components include polycrystalline diamond compacts sintered under high pressure and high temperature to create a diamond table chemically and mechanically bonded to a substrate, the diamond table presenting a durable and thermally stable load bearing and articulation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffery K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Louis M. Pope, II, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail
  • Method for making a sintered superhard prosthetic joint component
    Patent number: 7569176
    Abstract: Use of Ti and Nb cemented in TiC in prosthetic joints, such as prosthetic joint components made from sintered superhard materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Richard H. Dixon, Jeffery K. Taylor, Clayton F. Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean C. Blackburn, Victoriano Carvajal
  • Method of making components for prosthetic joints
    Patent number: 7556763
    Abstract: Carbides as substrates in prosthetic joints, particularly in sintered polycrystalline diamond compacts and sintered cubic boron nitride compacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Richard H. Dixon, Jeffery K. Taylor, Clayton F. Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean C. Blackburn, Victoriano Carbajal
  • Articulating diamond-surfaced spinal implants
    Patent number: 7494507
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Dixon, Clayton Frank Gardinier, Troy J. Medford, Dean C. Blackburn, Jeffery Karl Taylor, Bill J. Pope
  • Brut polishing of superhard materials
    Patent number: 7465219
    Abstract: Brut polishing of superhard materials to remove positive asperities by use of pressure and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean C. Blackburn, Victoriano Carvajal, Mark E. Richards, Art B. Curnow, Peter C. Cook
  • Bearings, races and components thereof having diamond and other superhard surfaces
    Patent number: 7461978
    Abstract: Diamond bearings and bearing components are disclosed. Some embodiments of the bearings and bearing components include polycrystalline diamond compacts sintered under high pressure and high temperature to create a diamond table chemically and mechanically bonded to a substrate, the diamond table presenting a durable and thermally stable load bearing and articulation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffery K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Louis M. Pope, II, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail
  • Use of CoCrMo to augment biocompatibility in polycrystalline diamond compacts
    Patent number: 7396505
    Abstract: CoCrMo can be used to enhance biocompatibility of a sintered polycrystalline diamond compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Richard H. Dixon, Jeffery K. Taylor, Clayton F. Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail, Louis M. Pope, Kenneth M. Jensen
  • Use of gradient layers and stress modifiers to fabricate composite constructs
    Patent number: 7396501
    Abstract: Use of gradient layers and stress modifiers in superhard constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Richard H. Dixon, Jeffery K. Taylor, Clayton F. Gardinier, Troy Medford, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail, Louis M. Pope, Victoriano Carvajal
  • Nozzles, and components thereof and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 7172142
    Abstract: Various nozzles, components of nozzles, and methods, materials and devices for making them are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Michael A. Vail, Clayton Frank Gardinier
  • Prosthetic knee joint having at least one diamond articulation surface
    Patent number: 7077867
    Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including prosthetic knee joint having at least one diamond articulation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffrey K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Michael A. Vail, Kenneth M. Jensen
  • Nozzles, and components thereof and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 6817550
    Abstract: Various nozzles, components of nozzles, and methods, materials and devices for making them are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Karl Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Michael A. Vail, Clayton Frank Gardinier
  • Diamond-surfaced femoral head for use in a prosthetic joint
    Patent number: 6800095
    Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a diamond-surfaced femoral head for use in a prosthetic joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffery K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Louis M. Pope, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail, Kenneth M. Jensen
  • Prosthetic hip joint having a polycrystalline diamond articulation surface and a plurality of substrate layers
    Patent number: 6793681
    Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic hip joint having a polycrystalline diamond articulation surface and a plurality of substrate layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Jordan Pope, Jeffery K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Louis M. Pope, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail
  • Modular bearing surfaces in prosthetic joints
    Publication number: 20040111159
    Abstract: Prosthetic joints, materials thereof, and manufacturing methods are disclosed. The joints may include sintered polycrystalline diamond compacts in modular form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Jordan Pope, Jeffery Karl Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton Frank Gardinier, Dean C. Blackburn
  • Prosthetic joint component having at least one solid polycrystalline diamond component
    Patent number: 6709463
    Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic joint component having at least one solid polycrystalline diamond component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffrey K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Louis M. Pope, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail, Kenneth M. Jensen
  • Prosthetic joint component having at least one sintered polycrystalline diamond compact articulation surface and substrate surface topographical features in said polycrystalline diamond compact
    Patent number: 6676704
    Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic joint component having at least one sintered polycrystalline diamond compact articulation surface and substrate surface topographical features in said polycrystalline diamond compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffrey K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Louis M. Pope, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail, Kenneth M. Jensen
  • Bearings, races and components thereof having diamond and other superhard surfaces
    Patent number: 6655845
    Abstract: Diamond bearings and bearing components are disclosed. Some embodiments of the bearings and bearing components include polycrystalline diamond compacts sintered under high pressure and high temperature to create a diamond table chemically and mechanically bonded to a substrate, the diamond table presenting a durable and thermally stable load bearing and articulation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffery K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Louis M. Pope, II, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail