Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

A composition and medical implant made therefrom, the composition including a thick diffusion hardened zone, and preferably further including a ceramic layer. Also provided are orthopedic implants made from the composition, methods of making the composition, and methods of making orthopedic implants from the composition.

A composition and medical implant made therefrom, the composition including a thick diffusion hardened zone, and preferably further including a ceramic layer. Also provided are orthopedic implants made from the composition, methods of making the composition, and methods of making orthopedic implants from the composition.

A joint prosthesis system is suitable for cementless fixation. The system includes a metal implant component that has a mounting surface for supporting an insert. The metal implant component includes a solid metal portion and a porous metal portion. The porous metal portion has surfaces with different characteristics, such as roughness, to improve bone fixation, ease removal of the implant component in a revision surgery, reduce soft tissue irritation, improve the strength of a sintered bond between the solid and porous metal portions, or reduce or eliminate the possibility of blood traveling through the porous metal portion into the joint space. A method of making the joint prosthesis is also disclosed. The invention may also be applied to discrete porous metal implant components, such as augment.

A joint prosthesis system is suitable for cementless fixation. The system includes a metal implant component that has a mounting surface for supporting an insert. The metal implant component includes a solid metal portion and a porous metal portion. The porous metal portion has surfaces with different characteristics, such as roughness, to improve bone fixation, ease removal of the implant component in a revision surgery, reduce soft tissue irritation, improve the strength of a sintered bond between the solid and porous metal portions, or reduce or eliminate the possibility of blood traveling through the porous metal portion into the joint space. A method of making the joint prosthesis is also disclosed. The invention may also be applied to discrete porous metal implant components, such as augment.

A medical device, the medical device including a substrate defining a surface; a plasma polymer layer bound to and coating the surface; and a bactericide layer bound to the plasma polymer layer, the plasma polymer layer being between the substrate and the bactericide layer. Also, a method for coating a surface of a substrate of a medical device with a bactericide layer, the method including: exposing the surface to a plasma to form a plasma polymer layer bound to the surface; and binding a bactericide layer to the plasma polymer layer.

A medical device, the medical device including a substrate defining a surface; a plasma polymer layer bound to and coating the surface; and a bactericide layer bound to the plasma polymer layer, the plasma polymer layer being between the substrate and the bactericide layer. Also, a method for coating a surface of a substrate of a medical device with a bactericide layer, the method including: exposing the surface to a plasma to form a plasma polymer layer bound to the surface; and binding a bactericide layer to the plasma polymer layer.

Compositions and methods for etching a nanoscale geometry on a metal or metal alloy surface are disclosed. Such surfaces, when included on an implantable medical device, enhance healing after surgery. When included on a bone contacting medical implant, the nanoscale geometry may enhance osseointegration. When included on a tissue contacting device, the nanoscale geometry may enhance endothelial cell attachment, proliferation, and restoration of a healthy endothelial surface.

Compositions and methods for etching a nanoscale geometry on a metal or metal alloy surface are disclosed. Such surfaces, when included on an implantable medical device, enhance healing after surgery. When included on a bone contacting medical implant, the nanoscale geometry may enhance osseointegration. When included on a tissue contacting device, the nanoscale geometry may enhance endothelial cell attachment, proliferation, and restoration of a healthy endothelial surface.

A shape-memory alloy orthopedic implant includes a bridge having a curved longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The bridge has a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end to the second end. In addition, the orthopedic implant includes a first leg extending from the first end of the bridge. The first leg has a central axis, a fixed end fixably attached to the bridge, a free end distal the bridge, and a radially outer surface extending axially from the fixed end of the first leg to the free end of the first leg. Further, the orthopedic implant includes a second leg extending from the second end of the bridge. The second leg has a central axis, a fixed end fixably attached to the bridge, a free end distal the bridge, and a radially outer surface extending axially from the fixed end of the second leg to the free end of the second leg. The radially outer surface of the bridge defines a first outer profile in a cross-section of the bridge taken in a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bridge. The radially outer surface of the first leg defines a second outer profile in a cross-section of the first leg taken in a plane oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the first leg. The first outer profile has a different geometry than the second outer profile.