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Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes For Irregular Surfaces
Michigan Technological University
posted on 12/23/2011
The invention is a system of low cost electrodes (replaces platinum electrodes) that can be positioned so to create titanium dioxide nanotubes on an irregular surface such as would be desirable on medical implants.
Medicine is taking advantage of implants to repair damaged hips, knees and teeth. Various methods have been utilized to provide roughened implant surfaces that promote bone growth such as sandblasting and chemical etching. High costs and highly toxic chemicals have left the medical device industry looking for better alternatives to prepare implants.
Suggested Uses
- Medical implants
- Can treat irregular surfaces
- Improves the safety of etching titanium
- Inplant surface improvement
Advantages
- Creates an irregular surface conducive to osteoblast colonization
- Eliminates the need for highly toxic hydrofluoric acid in the etching process
- Replaces expensive platinum electrodes with a cheaper electrode material
- A programmable method for electrochemically etching irregular surface shapes
Detailed Description
The invention is a system of low cost electrodes (replaces platinum electrodes) that can be positioned so to create titanium dioxide nanotubes on an irregular surface such as would be desirable on medical implants. The resulting nanotubes have an outside diameter of approximately 120nm and a wall thickness of 20nm. The tubes can be etched in a close-packed configuration or free standing structures.
File Number: 0938.00
Other Information:
Patent Application Pending
This innovation currently is not available for online licensing. Please contact Michael Morley at Michigan Technological University for more information.
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