Oxidation resistant treatment for metallic medical devices

Abstract

A method of treating a metallic medical device is disclosed and includes providing a metallic medical device, ionizing the media surrounding at least one electrode to produce an energized plasma proximate to the electrode, and exposing the metallic device to the plasma prior to use of the metallic device. In one embodiment a vascular stent is the medical device.

1 . A method of treating a metallic medical device, comprising: 
 providing a metallic medical device;    ionizing the media surrounding at least one electrode to produce an energized plasma proximate to the electrode; and    exposing the metallic device to the plasma prior to use of the metallic device.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising positioning the electrode in an atmosphere containing at least one material selected from the group consisting of Oxygen, Argon, Helium, Neon, and Xenon.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising forming an oxidation layer a surface of the metallic device.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the metallic device is selected from the group consisting of vascular stents, replacement joints, metallic heart valves, screws, pins, bolts, staples, fasteners, plates, skeletonal fusion devices, spinal fusion devices, bone anchors, shunts, staples, fasteners, dental implants, orthodontic braces, dental retainers, retractors, retainers, couplings, scalpels, needles, forceps, dental tools, surgical tools, bone cutters, and saws.  
     
     
         5 . The method of passivating a medical device, comprising: 
 providing a metallic medical device;    positioning at least one electrode within an atmosphere containing at least Oxygen;    applying energy to the electrode;    forming a plasma by ionizing the atmosphere proximate to the electrode and    exposing the metallic medical device to the plasma to produce an corrosion resistant oxidation layer thereon.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the metallic device is selected from the group consisting of vascular stents, replacement joints, metallic heart valves, screws, pins, bolts, staples, fasteners, plates, skeletonal fusion devices, spinal fusion devices bone anchors, shunts, staples, fasteners, dental implants, orthodontic braces, dental retainers, retractors, retainers, couplings, scalpels, needles, forceps, dental tools, surgical tools, bone cutters, and saws.  
     
     
         7 . An oxidation treatment for a metallic stent, comprising: 
 providing a metallic stent;    forming a plasma within an atmosphere containing at least Oxygen; and    positioning the stent within the plasma.    
     
     
         8 . A corrosion resistant medical device, comprising: 
 a metallic body; and    at least a corrosion resistant oxidation layer formed on the metallic body.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the metallic body is manufactured from stainless steel;  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of vascular stents, replacement joints, metallic heart valves, screws, pins, bolts, staples, fasteners, plates, skeletonal fusion devices, spinal fusion devices, bone anchors, shunts, staples, fasteners, dental implants, orthodontic braces, dental retainers, retractors, retainers, couplings, scalpels, needles, forceps, dental tools, surgical tools, bone cutters, and saws.