Importance

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Abstract

A static trauma or fracture fixation device is made from a metal such as steel, cobalt-chrome alloy or titanium alloy. When in use, the implant has at least one portion which is either in contact with bone tissue or with metal. Although such a metal may be considered a static implant, it undergoes dynamic loads which cause micro-motion. In order to reduce wear, corrosion and modify the frictional characteristics of the surface, coatings may be applied. The coating may be a diamond-like carbon coating of the metal, carbon and hydrogen type. This coating may be applied by physical vapor deposition and/or chemical vapor deposition. Other coating processes may include nitrogen or oxygen diffusion processes or carbon diffusion processes. Anodization may also be used as a coating to modify the wear and corrosion resistance of the base metal.

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First Claim