Patent US2090017A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5152774A
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US
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Surgical instrument having a toughened wearing surface and method of making the same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1990-05-11
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2010-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A method for making a stainless steel or titanium surgical instrument having a high toughness wearing surface, by vapor deposition of titanium nitride thereon in a vacuum chamber having a molten evaporant in a hearth in the bottom of the chamber, and using the hollow cathode effect. A preferred method includes tempering the instrument at temperatures above 200° C., then coating by physical vapor deposition at temperatures from about 175° to 260° C. Ring handled instruments with box lock pivots are coated before assembly. Toughened surgical instruments are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Schroeder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3201; C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/02; C23C14/028; C23C14/06; C23C14/0641; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00119; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for making surgical instruments, comprising the steps of: providing a stainless steel or titanium surgical instrument having a wearing surface; and providing a nitride coating on the wearing surface by vapor deposition of a nitride selected from the group consisting of titanium nitride, titanium nitride alloy and zirconium nitride, at a vapor deposition temperature of from 175 to 225C. (347 to 437F.); whereby the nitrided portion of the instrument has a resulting Rockwell "C" hardness of at least about 50.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for making surgical instruments, comprising the steps of: providing a stainless steel or titanium surgical instrument having a wearing surface; and providing a nitride coating on the wearing surface by vapor deposition of a nitride selected from the group consisting of titanium nitride, titanium nitride alloy and zirconium nitride, at a vapor deposition temperature of from 175 to 225C. (347 to 437F.); whereby the nitrided portion of the instrument has a resulting Rockwell "C" hardness of at least about 50.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising tempering said instrument at a temperature above 200C. prior to coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the vapor deposition is conducted at a vacuum of at least 5×10 -3 atmospheres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A metal according to claim 1 wherein said surgical instrument is a surgical cutting instrument.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said surgical instrument is a surgical scissor, and said wearing surface is a scissor blade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising smoothing said wearing surfaces to a micro-smooth finish.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said smoothing is accomplished by grinding or polishing the prior to coating of the instrument, thereby extending the wear life of the coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said surgical instrument is a grasping or holding device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said surgical instrument has cooperating members connected by a box lock, including a pivot pin, said method further comprising providing a titanium nitride coating on all portions of the box lock including the pivot pin before assembly of the instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the pivot pin is provided with a coating having a thickness of from about one thousandth to about one ten-thousandth of an inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the pivot pin is provided with a coating having a thickness of about one ten-thousandth of an inch.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of making a tempered surgical instrument having a toughened wearing surface, comprising: forming an instrument from a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and titanium; tempering said instrument at a temperature about 200 C. for a sufficient period of time to harden the metal to a desired hardness; and coating the wearing surface of said instrument by physical vapor deposition of an evaporant at a temperature of from about 175 to 225 C.; the evaporant being selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium nitride alloy, and zirconium.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of making a tempered surgical instrument having a toughened wearing surface, comprising: forming an instrument from a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and titanium; tempering said instrument at a temperature about 200 C. for a sufficient period of time to harden the metal to a desired hardness; and coating the wearing surface of said instrument by physical vapor deposition of an evaporant at a temperature of from about 175 to 225 C.; the evaporant being selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium nitride alloy, and zirconium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A surgical instrument article having a toughened wearing surface, said wearing surface being toughened according to the method of claim 12.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CH621476A5
Cited
JPS5976872A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |