Abstract: Many medical implants have roughened surfaces that promote cell, bone or tissue adhesion as well as the adhesion of bone cement, for better affixing of the implants in the body. The roughened surfaces should be free of particulates, such as commonly arise from the blasting of implant surfaces with particulates to produce a desired surface finish. A method of producing implants with implant surfaces free of such particulates is to blast the implant surface with a biocompatible liquid, such as water, under high pressure. Under certain circumstances, a solvent may contain particulates that assist in producing the roughened surface, and the particulates are dissolved, sublimated or vaporized from the implant surface, leaving no particulate residue.

Abstract: The invention provides dental devices (including implants, abutments, bridges, screws, and orthodontic appliances) that are fabricated from low modulus, biocompatible, non-toxic Ti-Nb-Zr alloys. The dental implants provide a biomaterial-to-bone interface that results in significant attachment between implant and bone. The implants may be supplied with a porous coating or macro-texture to further promote bone attachment and stabilization of the implant in the jaw bone. Other orthodontic appliances such as brackets and wires have improved elastic toughness and corrosion resistance so that they provide superior performance and corrosion characteristics.

Abstract: Biocompatible medical implants from a high strength, low modulus, hot worked titanium alloy containing titanium, about 10-20 wt. % or 35 to about 50 wt. % niobium and up to 20 wt. % zirconium. In particular, the titanium implants have a modulus of elasticity closer to that of bone than other typically used metal alloys and does not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short or long term potential adverse effects from a standpoint of biocompatibility. To fabricate the alloy, it is necessary to heat to above the .beta.-transus temperature (or to a temperature in a range from 100.degree. C. below and up to the .beta.-transus), hot work the alloy, rapidly cool to below the .beta.-transus, and age the cooled alloy for a period of time to develop its strength while maintaining its low modulus (less than about 90 GPa). The alloy is suitable for a range of uses where the properties of low modulus, high strength and corrosion resistance are desirable.

Abstract: Surface and near surface hardened medical implants are provided. These implants are fabricated from titanium alloys that contain an amount of zirconium sufficient to permit the formation of a significant amount of zirconium oxide at the surface of the implant to cause surface hardening. Further, the zirconium-containing titanium alloy implants are characterized in having an alloy core with an oxygen-rich layer surrounding the core, and a surface layer, overlying the oxygen-rich layer, including mixed oxides of the metals present in the alloy. A zirconium-rich interface may sometimes be present between the oxygen-rich layer and the mixed-oxide surface layer. The method of producing these surface hardened implants includes the steps of heating the implant in an oxygen containing environment at a temperature sufficient to allow oxygen to diffuse to and react with the implant surface and near surface.

Abstract: A method for the cleaning of roughened surface or porous-coated medical implants of all kinds. In the cleaning method, the roughened surface or porous-coated implant is subjected to blasting with particulate solids selected from the solids that are soluble in a biocompatible non-toxic solvent and solids that deliquesce, sublimate or vaporize. The particulate solids must be sufficiently hard to provide effective impact for dislodging debris and loosely attached particles from implant surfaces. After blasting, the surface is optionally treated with ultrasonic vibration to further remove debris particulates. The impacted surfaces may also be rinsed with a biocompatible liquid. After cleaning, the surfaces may be passivated by immersion in conventional passivation solutions or a solution of non-aggressive oxyanions.