Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of depositing a highly soluble bone tissue activation material upon the porous metallic substrate surface of a bone implant device, comprising the steps of: (a) combining a calcium deficient hydroxyapatite powder which contains approximately less than about 5% by weight of adsorbed water and a non-aqueous liquid to form a suspension; (b) agitating said suspension to deglomerate said powder; (c) immersing the substrate into said suspension; (d) depositing a calcium phosphate film on said substrate by low voltage electrophoresis to form a uniform coating in thickness on all surfaces of the substrate whereby said thickness is at least 5 microns which, after implantation, enhances bone tissue growth into said device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of depositing a highly soluble bone tissue activation material upon the porous metallic substrate surface of a bone implant device, comprising the steps of: (a) combining a calcium deficient hydroxyapatite powder which contains approximately less than about 5% by weight of adsorbed water and a non-aqueous liquid to form a suspension; (b) agitating said suspension to deglomerate said powder; (c) immersing the substrate into said suspension; (d) depositing a calcium phosphate film on said substrate by low voltage electrophoresis to form a uniform coating in thickness on all surfaces of the substrate whereby said thickness is at least 5 microns which, after implantation, enhances bone tissue growth into said device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (e) sintering the calcium phosphate coated porous substrate in a vacuum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2, said sintering being conducted at a vacuum of less than about 10 -4 torr and at temperatures between about 800° and 1300° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said porous metallic substrate is comprised of titanium and said sintering is conducted at temperatures below about 975° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said powder is selected and agitated to provide said calcium phosphate powder particles in suspension having diameters between about 0.5×10 -6 and 10×10 -6 meters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said powder is selected and agitated to provide said calcium phosphate powder particles in suspension having diameters between about 1×10 -6 and 7×10 -6 meters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said powder is selected and agitated to provide said calcium phosphate powder particles in suspension having diameters between about 1×10 -6 and 5×10 -6 meters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said electrophoresis is carried out using a voltage gradient between about 45 and 90 volts/cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said film is greater than about 5×10 -6 meters and less than about 150×10 -6 meters in thickness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said film is greater than about 20×10 -6 meters and less than about 80×10 -6 meters in thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said powder has not been calcinated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said porous substrate is comprised of a woven mesh.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said agitation is carried out at a frequency greater than about 20,000 Hz.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of enhancing the bioactivity of a calcium phosphate ceramic material by avoiding the formation of tetracalcium phosphate, comprising the steps of: (a) combining a calcium deficient hydroxyapatite which has a limited amount of adsorbed water with a non-aqueous liquid to form a suspension; (b) electrophoretically depositing a calcium phosphate layer of uniform thickness on all surfaces of an object; and (c) sintering said layer.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of enhancing the bioactivity of a calcium phosphate ceramic material by avoiding the formation of tetracalcium phosphate, comprising the steps of: (a) combining a calcium deficient hydroxyapatite which has a limited amount of adsorbed water with a non-aqueous liquid to form a suspension; (b) electrophoretically depositing a calcium phosphate layer of uniform thickness on all surfaces of an object; and (c) sintering said layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said hydroxyapatite has an adsorbed water content of less than about 5% by weight.