Method of producing textured surfaces on medical implants

Abstract

Methods of texturizing medical implants are provided which involve embossing the surface of these implants to create a textured pattern. Preferred roll embossing techniques are disclosed for improving scratch resistant properties, minimizing glare, improving lubricant retention and/or creating random or uniform patterns on medical implants, such as the outer shield of pacemakers and defibrillators, as well as orthopedic implants.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing an outer shield of a medical implant comprising: 
 (a) providing a sheet metal substrate having first and second planar surfaces thereon;    (b) embossing said sheet metal substrate to provide an embossed textured pattern on said first planar surface; and    (c) forming the embossed sheet metal substrate into an outer shield of said medical implant, said outer shield having an inside and outside surface, whereby said embossed textured pattern is located at least on said outside surface for helping to conceal small surface defects thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sheet metal substrate comprises a metal selected from the group containing titanium, nickle, and alloys thereof, and stainless steel.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sheet metal substrate comprises cold rolled titanium or titanium alloy coil.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said titanium or titanium alloy coil is provided in a thickness of about 0.005-0.04 inches.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said textured pattern comprises a leather grain, wood grain, stucco grain or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said textured pattern comprises a non-directional, non-reflective surface texture.  
     
     
         7 . A method of manufacturing an outer shield of a medical implant comprising: 
 (a) providing a sheet metal substrate having first and second planar surfaces thereon;    (b) embossing said sheet metal substrate to provide a textured pattern on said first surface;    (c) cleaning said sheet metal substrate with an alkaline solution;    (d) annealing said sheet metal substrate at an elevated temperature; and    (e) forming the embossed sheet metal substrate into an outer shield of a medical implant having an inside and outside surface, whereby said textured pattern is located on at least said outside surface for helping to conceal small surface defects thereon.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising pickling said sheet metal substrate.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  whereby said sheet metal substrate is slit to final width prior to said forming step (e).  
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing an outer shield of a medical implant comprising: 
 (a) providing a sheet metal substrate having first and second planar surfaces thereon;    (b) cleaning said sheet metal substrate with an alkaline solution;    (c) annealing said cleaned sheet metal substrate at an elevated temperature;    (d) embossing said cleaned and annealed sheet metal substrate to provide an embossed surface thereon having a textured pattern; and    (e) forming the embossed sheet metal substrate into an outer shield which exposes said textured pattern to help conceal small surface defects thereon.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said sheet metal comprises titanium or titanium alloy having a thickness of about 0.005-0.04 inches.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said annealing step (c) achieves a temperature of about 1400-1800° F.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said annealing step (c) is followed by a water quench or air cool.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said medical implant comprises a cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator.  
     
     
         15 . An outer shield for a medical implant comprising a sheet metal substrate having first and second surfaces thereon; said first surface including an embossed, textured pattern having a non-reflective appearance for helping to conceal small surface defects on said implant.  
     
     
         16 . The outer shield of  claim 15  wherein said medical implant comprises a pacemaker or defibrillator;  
     
     
         17 . The outer shield of  claim 15  wherein said sheet metal substrate comprises stainless steel, or nickel, titanium, or alloys thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The outer shield of  claim 15  having a thickness of less than about {fraction (3/16)} inches (4.76 mm).  
     
     
         19 . A medical implant comprising the outer shield of  claim 15 .  
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing an outer shield of a medical implant comprising: 
 (a) providing a sheet metal substrate comprising titanium having first and second planar surfaces thereon;    (b) cleaning said sheet metal substrate in an alkaline solution;    (c) annealing said sheet metal substrate at an elevated temperature;    (d) embossing said sheet metal substrate to provide an embossed textured pattern thereon; said embossing step being provided either before said alkaline cleaning step or thereafter; and    (e) forming the embossed sheet metal substrate into an outer shield having an inside and outside surface whereby said textured pattern is located on at least said outside surface for helping to conceal small surface defects thereon.