Metal alloy for medical devices and implants

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical device or implant made at least in part of a high strength, low modulus metal alloy comprising Niobium, Tantalum, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zirconium, Tungsten, and Molybdenum. The medical devices according to the present invention provide superior characteristics with regard to bio-compatibility, radio-opacity and MRI compatibility.

1 . A medical implant or device fabricated from a metal alloy, said medical implant or device comprising components at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy comprising: 
 (a) between about 0.1 and 70 weight percent Niobium;    (b) between about 0.1 and 30 weight percent in total of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Tungsten, Zirconium and Molybdenum;    (c) up to 5 weight percent in total of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Hafnium, Rhenium and Lanthanides;    (d) and a balance of Tantalum,    wherein the alloy provides for a uniform beta structure, which is uniform and corrosion resistant, and has the ability for conversion oxidation or nitridization surface hardening of the medical implant or device.    
     
     
         2 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the Lanthanide is cerium.  
     
     
         3 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises between 0.1 and 15 weight percent Tungsten.  
     
     
         4 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises between 0.1 and 10 weight percent Zirconium.  
     
     
         5 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises between 0.1 and 20 weight percent Molybdenum.  
     
     
         6 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises between 5 and 25 weight percent Niobium.  
     
     
         7 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 3 , wherein the alloy comprises about 10 weight percent Niobium and about 2.5 weight percent Tungsten.  
     
     
         8 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 3 , wherein the alloy comprises about 10 weight percent Niobium and about 7.5 weight percent Tungsten.  
     
     
         9 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 4 , wherein the alloy comprises about 10 weight percent Niobium and about 1 weight percent Zirconium.  
     
     
         10 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 4 , wherein the alloy comprises about 10 weight percent Niobium and about 3 weight percent Zirconium.  
     
     
         11 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a minimal-invasive device.  
     
     
         12 . A medical implant according to  claim 11 , wherein the device is one of a catheter and a guide wire.  
     
     
         13 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical implant is an intra-cavernous implant.  
     
     
         14 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 13 , wherein the implant is an intravascular implant.  
     
     
         15 . A medical implant according to  claim 13 , wherein the medical implant is one of the group consisting of a stent, a stent graft, a stent graft connector and a heart valve repair device.  
     
     
         16 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy has a surface that is passivated by oxidation or nitridization.  
     
     
         17 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy has a surface that is one of electropolished, mechanically polished, micro blasted, roughened and sintered.  
     
     
         18 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy has a surface coated with at least one of the group consisting of a polymer, a blend of polymers, a metal, a blend of metals, a ceramic and biomolecules.  
     
     
         19 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 18 , wherein the surface of the metal alloy is coated by at least one of the group consisting of peptides, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acides.  
     
     
         20 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy has a surface coated with at least one of stem cells and bioactive substance.  
     
     
         21 . A medical implant or device according to  claim 20 , wherein the surface of the metal alloy is coated with at least one of the group consisting of drugs, antibiotics, growth factors, anti-inflammatory agents and anti-thrombogenic agents.