EP0202031A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Chemical polishing process for titanium and titanium alloy surgical implants
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
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Filing: 1986-04-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method of chemically polishing medical implants by immersing them in a solution including lactic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and nitric acid to produce smooth, matte finished implants.
Inventors
- 👤 Imogene Baswell
- 👤 Kimberly Walsh
- 👤 Eric Renz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/20; A61F11/202; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30767; C; C23; C23F; C23F3/00; C23F3/04; C23F3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of polishing a surgical implant formed of a biocompatible titanium or titanium alloy comprising the steps of: contacting the implant with a polishing solution including lactic acid, hydroflouric acid and nitric acid; moving the implant and compound relative one to the other; and thereafter washing the implant to remove substantially all of the polishing compound.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of polishing a surgical implant formed of a biocompatible titanium or titanium alloy comprising the steps of: contacting the implant with a polishing solution including lactic acid, hydroflouric acid and nitric acid; moving the implant and compound relative one to the other; and thereafter washing the implant to remove substantially all of the polishing compound.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
2 : The method of claim 1 wherein the contacting step includes immersing the implant in a polishing solution that comprises: from about 60 to about 79 weight percent lactic acid; from about 10.5 to about 20 weight percent hydroflouric acid; and from about 10.5 to about 20 weight percent nitric acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the moving step includes agitating the immersed implant in the solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the contacting and moving steps are carried out long enough to effectively remove surface irreaularities on the implant without removing excessive amounts of the implant material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the washing step is followed by the step of inspecting the polished implant to determine the extent of polishing and thereafter repeating the contacting, moving, and washing steps if more polishing is needed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A polished surgical implant comprising a surgical implant formed of a biocompatible titanium or titanium alloy polished to a smooth, matte finish by contacting the formed implant with a polishing solution including lactic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and nitric acid;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A polished surgical implant comprising a surgical implant formed of a biocompatible titanium or titanium alloy polished to a smooth, matte finish by contacting the formed implant with a polishing solution including lactic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and nitric acid;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
moving the implant and solution relative to one another; and thereafter
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
moving the implant and solution relative to one another; and thereafter
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
washing the implant to remove substantially all of the polishing solution to produce the polished implant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
washing the implant to remove substantially all of the polishing solution to produce the polished implant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The polished implant of claim 6 wherein the polishing solution comprises: from about 60 to about 79 weight percent lactic acid; from about 10.5 to about 20 weight percent hydrofluoric acid; and from about 10.5 to about 20 weight percent nitric acid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The polished implant of claim 7 wherein the immersed implant is polished by agitating the immersed implant in the solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The polished implant of claim 8 wherein the formed implant is an ear tube having machining grooves therein and wherein the contacting, moving, and washing steps are repeated to substantially decrease the depth of the grooves to produce a smooth, matte finished ear tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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