Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An annuloplasty ring for implantation in living body tissue of a patient, the annuloplasty ring having enhanced resistance to wear, comprising: (a) at least one component fabricated from a low elastic modulus metallic composition, the elastic modulus being less than about 130 GPa and the component having outer surfaces; and (b) a corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, hard, durable, stable coating at least partially covering the outer surfaces of said component, said coating selected from the group consisting essentially of zirconium oxides, ranging in color from blue to black, and zirconium nitrides, ranging in color from yellow to orange.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An annuloplasty ring for implantation in living body tissue of a patient, the annuloplasty ring having enhanced resistance to wear, comprising: (a) at least one component fabricated from a low elastic modulus metallic composition, the elastic modulus being less than about 130 GPa and the component having outer surfaces; and (b) a corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, hard, durable, stable coating at least partially covering the outer surfaces of said component, said coating selected from the group consisting essentially of zirconium oxides, ranging in color from blue to black, and zirconium nitrides, ranging in color from yellow to orange.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 1, wherein said coating is up to about 20 microns in thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 1, wherein said low elastic modulus metallic composition includes a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium-containing alloys.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 3, wherein the component further includes a sub-surface zone containing diffused oxygen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said coating includes diffusion-bonded zirconium oxides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 5, wherein said coating is up to about 20 microns in thickness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 1, further including a second coating selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, anticoagulants and platelet adhesion reducers, wherein said second coating is disposed on said corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, hard, durable, stable coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 7, wherein said platelet adhesion reducer is phosphatidyl choline.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 7, wherein said platelet adhesion reducer is heparin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 1, further including a silver-doped overlay coating over said corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, hard, durable, stable coating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 1, further including a hard overlay coating over said coating, said hard overlay coating selected from the group consisting of amorphous diamond-like carbon, cubic zirconia, and white tetragonal zirconia.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 1, wherein said components include a core and a woven sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The annuloplasty ring of claim 1, further including a lubricious boron-containing overlay coating over said corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, hard, durable, stable coating.