Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modifying surfaces made from metal alloy and/or UHMWPE, preferably surfaces which are frictionally engaged, e.g., in an orthopaedic implant. The methods of the present invention reduce the coefficient of friction of the metal alloy component, reduce the shearing of fibrils from the UHMWPE component, and reduce sub-surface fatigue in the UHMWPE component. The method involves solvent immersion of the UHMWPE component to remove short chains of polyethylene at or near the surface of the component, and to swell and toughen the subsurface of the component. The method also involves firmly coating the surface of the metal alloy component with an adherent layer of diamond-like carbon (“DLC”) by creating a metal-silicide interface at the surface of the metal alloy to permit firmer adhesion of DLC.

Abstract: The present invention provides metal working tools with metal working surfaces bearing a coating of diamond-like carbon that is strongly adhered to the surface via the following gradient: metal alloy or cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide base; cobalt or metal-silicide and/or cobalt or metal-germanide; silicon and/or germanium; silicon carbide and/or germanium carbide; and, diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for strongly adhering a diamond-like carbon coating to a metal alloy substrate using ion beam assisted deposition of silicon and/or germanium followed by ion beam assisted deposition of diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: The present invention uses ion beam assisted deposition to adhere a diamond-like carbon coating to a cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide substrate, resulting in the following gradient at the surface of the substrate: substrate/(metal-silicide or metal-germanide)/(silicon or germanium)/(silicon carbide or germanium carbide)/DLC.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating a metal alloy component of a medical implant, particularly a component of a heart valve made of a titanium base alloy, with a strongly adhered coating of diamond-like carbon. The method uses ion beam assisted deposition to form a gradient at the surface of the titanium alloy comprising metal alloy/metal-silicide/(silicon or germanium)/silicon- or germanium-carbide/DLC.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating a titanium based component with diamond-like carbon to reduce the thrombogeneticity of the component. In a preferred embodiment, the titanium based component is a heart valve.According to the present invention, the component is placed in a vacuum chamber and heated to about 600.degree. -650.degree. C. (1112.degree.-1202.degree. F.). Thereafter, silicon is then deposited onto the component, and the component is simultaneously bombarded with a beam of energetic ions to form a metal-silicide bonding layer. The component then is cooled to at least about 100.degree. C. (212.degree. F.), preferably about 80.degree. C. (176.degree. F.), and a diamond-like carbon precursor is condensed onto the metal-silicide bonding layer. The precursor is simultaneously bombarded with a beam of energetic ions to form a coating of diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modifying surfaces made from metal alloy and/or UHMWPE, preferably surfaces which are frictionally engaged, e.g., in an orthopaedic implant. The methods of the present invention reduce the coefficient of friction of the metal alloy component, reduce the shearing of fibrils from the UHMWPE component, and reduce sub-surface fatigue in the UHMWPE component. The method involves solvent immersion of the UHMWPE component to remove short chains of polyethylene at or near the surface of the component, and to swell and toughen the subsurface of the component. The method also involves firmly coating the surface of the metal alloy component with an adherent layer of diamond-like carbon ("DLC") by creating a metal-silicide interface at the surface of the metal alloy to permit firmer adhesion of DLC.

Abstract: The present invention provides for faster and stronger tissue-implant bonding by treating a ceramic implant with an ion beam to modify the surface of the ceramic. The surface modification can give the ceramic improved ion-exchange properties depending upon the particular ceramic and the type of ions used. In a preferred embodiment, a bioactive ceramic orthopaedic, dental, or soft tissue implant is bombarded with a beam of cations. When implanted in the body, the surface modification causes an increase in the release of critical ions, such as calcium or phosphorus, from the surface of the ceramic implant, and thereby accelerates implant-tissue bond formation.

Abstract: A spark plug for use in an internal combustion engine comprises an electrically nonconductive body member and a pair of electrodes formed of a material each having titanium diboride as its major component. Tests indicate that titanium diboride electrodes are extremely resistant to electrical erosion. The spark plugs embodying the present invention are particularly useful in continuous cycle or heavy duty cycle engines that have heretofore been the subject of severe electrode erosion.

Abstract: The present invention is a new nonantigenic keratinous protein material that may be used as a number of purposes, including correction of soft tissue deficiencies and the creation of biomedical implants and implant coatings. The present invention also includes processes for using the nonantigenic keratinous protein material for soft tissue augmentation, creating implants, and the coating of biocompatible implants. The nonantigenic keratinous protein material can be formed by obtaining nonantigenic keratinous protein and processing it to a powder form. If hair from the recipient or a compatible doner is used, it is bleached and rinsed, then dried and chopped into about 0.25 inch pieces. The keratinous protein is then homogenized in a solvent to a particular size generally in the range of about 0.1 to about 500 .mu.m. The particles are then ultrasonicated in a solvent.

Abstract: A composite of a first metal ion and a ceramic composition in the near surface region of the composition is formed by ion mixing of the first metal with the ceramic composition. The composite has been oxidized at high temperatures thereby resulting in an oxide gradient layer in the surface of the ceramic composition. Alternatively, a second metal ion is ion mixed with the first metal ion in the near surface region of the ceramic composition and then oxidized at high temperatures to form an oxide gradient layer in the surface of the ceramic composition.

Abstract: A method for producing a stable ceramic composition having a surface with a low friction coefficient and high wear resistance at high operating temperatures. A first deposition of a thin film of a metal ion is made upon the surface of the ceramic composition and then a first ion implantation of at least a portion of the metal ion is made into the near surface region of the composition. The implantation mixes the metal ion and the ceramic composition to form a near surface composite. The near surface composite is then oxidized sufficiently at high oxidizing temperatures to form an oxide gradient layer in the surface of the ceramic composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides for faster and stronger tissue-implant bonding by treating a ceramic implant with an ion beam to modify the surface of the ceramic. The surface modification can give the ceramic improved ion-exchange properties depending upon the particular ceramic and the type of ions used. In a preferred embodiment, a bioactive ceramic orthopaedic, dental, or soft tissue implant is bombarded with a beam of cations. When implanted in the body, the surface modification causes an increase in the release of critical ions, such as calcium or phosphorus, from the surface of the ceramic implant, and thereby accelerates implant-tissue bond formation.