Patents Assigned to Diamicron, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20030191533
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Dixon, Clayton Frank Gardinier, Troy J. Medford, Dean C. Blackburn, Jeffery Karl Taylor, Bill J. Pope
  • Publication number: 20030189114
    Abstract: Various nozzles, components of nozzles, and methods, materials and devices for making them are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Michael A. Vail, Clayton Frank Gardinier
  • Patent number: 6610095
    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 having substrate surface topographical features and at least one diamond articulation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    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
  • Patent number: 6596225
    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 methods for manufacturing a diamond prosthetic joint component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    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
  • Patent number: 6517583
    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 compact articulation surface and a counter bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffrey K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Michael A. Vail, Kenneth M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6514289
    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 articulation surface for use in a prosthetic joint
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    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
  • Publication number: 20030019106
    Abstract: Method for making diamond bearings and diamond bearing components. Some methods include sintering diamond feedstock and a substrate under high pressure and high temperature to create a sintered polycrystalline diamond compact with a non-planar bearing and articulation surface. Various machining, grinding and polishing methods for finishing the compact are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Jeffery K. Taylor, Richard H. Dixon, Clayton F. Gardinier, Louis M. Pope, Dean C. Blackburn, Michael A. Vail
  • Patent number: 6497727
    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 component for use in a prosthetic hip, the component having a polycrystalline diamond articulation surface and a plurality of substrate layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    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
  • Patent number: 6494918
    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 component for a prosthetic joint having a diamond load bearing and articulation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    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
  • Patent number: 6488715
    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 cup for use in a prosthetic joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    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
  • Patent number: 6425922
    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 polycrystalline diamond articulation surfaces and at least one sintered polycrystalline diamond articulation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    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
  • Patent number: 6410877
    Abstract: A method of rough shaping a prosthetic joint component that includes a generally spherical polycrystalline diamond compact by electric discharge machining is disclosed. The discharge machining electrode roughens a polycrystalline diamond compact sphere while the electrode and the sphere are rotating about different axes. By controlling the amount of discharge current, the depth and amount of the heat affected zone can be minimized. In the case of a polycrystalline diamond compact, the heat affected zone can be kept to about 3 to 5 microns in depth and is easily removable by grinding and polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Dixon, Louis M. Pope
  • Patent number: 6398815
    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 having at least one superhard articulation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    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
  • Patent number: 6290726
    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 sintered polycrystalline diamond articulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    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
  • Patent number: 6010533
    Abstract: A prosthetic joint with polycrystalline diamond compact coated interfaces and a method for making the same are disclosed. The prosthetic joint has a diamond layer formed on at least one of the interacting, load-bearing surfaces of the joint. The diamond layer adds resistance to damage from impacts and, when polished, gives the joint a low coefficient of friction, thereby increasing the life of the joint. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the diamond layer is formed of polycrystalline diamond compact having a common diamond particle diameter of less than 1 micron to further reduce friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Richard M. Garrick
  • Patent number: 5645601
    Abstract: A prosthetic joint with polycrystalline diamond compact coated interfaces and a method for making the same are disclosed. The prosthetic joint has a diamond layer formed on at least one of the interacting, load-bearing surfaces of the joint. The diamond layer adds resistance to damage from impacts and, when polished, gives the joint a low coefficient of friction, thereby increasing the life of the joint. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the diamond layer is formed of polycrystalline diamond compact having a common diamond particle diameter of less than 1 micron to further reduce friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Diamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill J. Pope, Richard M. Garrick