Abstract: The present invention relates to articles comprising a cobalt-chromium alloy and bearing a surface oxide layer that has a thickness of 20 to 40 ?, is enriched in chromium relative to said article, and includes a plurality of indentions that, independently, have a diameter of from about 40 to about 500 nm. Such articles can be suitable for implantation in a mammal.

Abstract: Biomedical implants (e.g., orthopedic implants) with modified surfaces that can enhance a cement bond's strength (e.g., tensile, shear, and/or fatigue) are disclosed, along with methods of manufacturing and using such implants. The implants can exhibit a variety of physical, chemical, or process-derived features which can enhance cement bonding. For instance, the implant surface can exhibit particular roughness values, and/or be substantially free of non native material. Processes for producing such implants can include providing a first roughened implant surface, which can be produced, for example, by particle blasting. A treatment formulation can be applied to the first roughened surface to create a second roughened surface that exhibits enhanced cement bonding properties relative to the first roughened surface. In some instances, the first roughened surface and the second roughened surface can exhibit substantially similar Ra values. The second roughened surface can exhibit a negative Rsk value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes involving contacting articles that include titanium or titanium alloy with a solution comprising hydrochloric acid and chloride-containing compound for a time and at a temperature effective to form a plurality of indentions that, independently, have a diameter of from about 200 nm to 10 microns.

Abstract: The invention concerns article having a surface oxide layer up to 20 nm thick, the surface oxide layer comprising chromium and cobalt oxides where the atomic ratio of Cr/Co is more than 3. The invention also concerns methods for treating a chromium containing material, said method comprising contacting said material with a gas plasma under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the material; and contacting said material with an acid. The treated surface is corrosion resistant and can be used in orthopedic implants, especially the wear surface of the orthopedic implant to reduce wear, and other corrosive environment.

Abstract: The invention concerns article having a surface oxide layer up to 20 nm thick, the surface oxide layer comprising chromium and cobalt oxides where the atomic ratio of Cr/Co is more than 3. The invention also concerns methods for treating a chromium containing material, said method comprising contacting said material with a gas plasma under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the material; and contacting said material with an acid. The treated surface is corrosion resistant and can be used in orthopedic implants, especially the wear surface of the orthopedic implant to reduce wear, and other corrosive environment.

Abstract: Biomedical implants (e.g., orthopedic implants) with modified surfaces that can enhance a cement bond's strength (e.g., tensile, shear, and/or fatigue) are disclosed, along with methods of manufacturing and using such implants. The implants can exhibit a variety of physical, chemical, or process-derived features which can enhance cement bonding. For instance, the implant surface can exhibit particular roughness values, and/or be substantially free of non native material. Processes for producing such implants can include providing a first roughened implant surface, which can be produced, for example, by particle blasting. A treatment formulation can be applied to the first roughened surface to create a second roughened surface that exhibits enhanced cement bonding properties relative to the first roughened surface. In some instances, the first roughened surface and the second roughened surface can exhibit substantially similar Ra values. The second roughened surface can exhibit a negative Rsk value.

Abstract: Methods and devices directed to attaching a bone to an implant are disclosed. Some aspects are directed to a modified substrate, such as a mineralized collagenous scaffold, that can be part of an implant. The substrate can have a porous structure that includes a collagen-based material and a calcium-phosphate-based material. In some cases, the collagen is disposed as collagen fibrils, and hydroxyapatite can be coated onto the fibrils and the porous structure. The porous structure can be three-dimensional, and can promote bone in-growth thereto. One or more bioactive agents can be coupled to the modified substrate, which can further promote bone growth. Further details regarding such modified substrates, and techniques for producing and utilizing such materials, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implants with a calcium phosphate containing layer are disclosed. The implants, which can have a metallic character (e.g., made from a cobalt chromium alloy), can include a surface that is exposed to one or more formulations that results in a chemical and/or physical modification. In some instances, the modified surface is texturized so as to include a plurality of surface pits. The average pit size opening can range, for example, from 40 nm to about 10 ?m, and can include a plurality of average pit sizes in some cases. The modified surfaces can promote growth of a calcium phosphate layer, which can be accelerated relative to conventional techniques. Other variations of such implant surfaces, and methods of producing similar implant surfaces, are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes involving contacting articles that include titanium or titanium alloy with a solution comprising hydrochloric acid and chloride-containing compound for a time and at a temperature effective to form a plurality of indentions that, independently, have a diameter of from about 200 nm to 10 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles comprising a cobalt-chromium alloy and bearing a surface oxide layer that has a thickness of 20 to 40 ?, is enriched in chromium relative to said article, and includes a plurality of indentions that, independently, have a diameter of from about 40 to about 500 nm. Such articles can be suitable for implantation in a mammal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing material of a medical implant comprising a polymer such as UHMWPE and a surface active agent that is not covalently bonded to the polymer. The bearing material has a reduced wear rate. Also disclosed is a method of reducing the wear rate of a polymeric bearing material of a medical implant when it articulates against a hard counterface in the presence of synovial fluid, the method comprising providing a surface active agent in the synovial fluid in close proximity to the bearing surface, the hard counterface, or both.

Abstract: Methods and devices directed to surface treatment of implants are disclosed. In some instances, the surfaces are treated to have one or more characteristics that can impart low wear properties when the implant is utilized in a subject. As one example, a metallic surface of an implant can be treated to form pits in the surface, followed optionally by a smoothing step to reduce the roughness of the pitted surface. A plasma treatment can be used to form an oxide-containing layer (e.g., highly corrosion resistant and/or thick) on the surface. An acid treatment can also be used as part of a process for forming an oxide-containing layer. Other examples of method are also disclosed, along with characteristics of implant surfaces that can exhibit low wear properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns article having a surface oxide layer up to 20 nm thick, the surface oxide layer comprising chromium and cobalt oxides where the atomic ratio of Cr/Co is more than 3. The invention also concerns methods for treating a chromium containing material, said method comprising contacting said material with a gas plasma under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the material; and contacting said material with an acid. The treated surface is corrosion resistant and can be used in orthopedic implants, especially the wear surface of the orthopedic implant to reduce wear, and other corrosive environment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for etching metal by contacting the metal with a solution comprising hydrogen chloride and a persulfate salt; wherein the solution has a hydrogen chloride concentration of about 3 to about 11.7 moles/liter and a molar ratio of hydrogen chloride to persulfate salt of about 4:1 to about 134:1, wherein the persulfate salt is dissolved in the solution with the use of heat input.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing material of a medical implant comprising a polymer such as UHMWPE and a surface active agent that is not covalently bonded to the polymer. The bearing material has a reduced wear rate. Also disclosed is a method of reducing the wear rate of a polymeric bearing material of a medical implant when it articulates against a hard counterface in the presence of synovial fluid, the method comprising providing a surface active agent in the synovial fluid in close proximity to the bearing surface, the hard counterface, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing material of a medical implant comprising a polymer such as UHMWPE and a surface active agent that is not covalently bonded to the polymer. The surface active agent includes a hydrophilic moiety or segment, such as an ethoxylated moiety, and a hydrophobic moiety or segment, such as an alkanol, alkenol, aromatic alcohol, alkylamine, alkenyl amine, alkyl aromatic alcohol, alkanoic acid, alkenoic acid, or any combination thereof. The bearing material has a reduced wear rate. Also disclosed is a method of reducing the wear rate of a polymeric bearing material of a medical implant when it articulates against a hard counterface in the presence of synovial fluid, the method comprising providing a surface active agent in the synovial fluid in close proximity to the bearing surface, the hard counterface, or both.