Orthopaedic Implants Having Self-Lubricated Articulating Surfaces Designed to Reduce Wear, Corrosion, and Ion Leaching

Abstract

An orthopaedic implant can replace a joint in a patient. The orthopaedic implant includes a first component having a first component surface and a second component having a second component surface. The first component surface and the second component surface mate at an interface. The first component surface includes a metal substrate, a nanotextured surface, a ceramic coating, and a transition zone. The nanotextured surface is disposed directly upon the metal substrate and has surface features in a size of 10.sup.−9 meters. The ceramic coating conforms to the nanotextured surface and includes a plurality of bio-active sites configured to attract and retain calcium and phosphorous cations. The transition zone is disposed between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating. The transition zone includes a concentration gradient transitioning from the metal substrate to the ceramic coating and there is no distinct interface between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating.

Claims

1. An orthopaedic implant to replace a joint in a patient, the orthopaedic implant comprising: a first component having a first component surface; and a second component having a second component surface, wherein the first component surface and the second component surface are configured to mate at an interface, wherein the first component surface includes: a metal substrate; a nanotextured surface disposed directly upon the metal substrate having surface features in a size of 10.sup.−9 meters; a ceramic coating conforming to the nanotextured surface and including a plurality of bio-active sites configured to attract and retain calcium and phosphorous cations; and a transition zone disposed between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating, wherein the transition zone includes a concentration gradient transitioning from the metal substrate to the ceramic coating and wherein there is no distinct interface between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating.

2. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein the joint is selected from the group consisting of: a knee joint; a hip joint; a shoulder joint; an elbow joint; a finger joint; a wrist joint; a facet joint disposed between two vertebrae; a lumbar disc joint; and a toe joint.

3. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein the metal substrate is selected from the group consisting of; stainless steels; Co—Cr—Mo alloys; Zr alloys; and Ti alloys.

4. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 (alpha phase); zirconium oxide (Zr.sub.2O); silicon nitride (Si.sub.3N.sub.4); titanium nitride (TiN); metallic nitrides; and metallic carbides.

5. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein the nanotextured surface is configured to improve lubricity of the orthopaedic implant in the presence of bodily fluids.

6. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of bio-active sites are configured to improve lubricity of the orthopaedic implant by retaining calcium and phosphorous cations from synovial fluid upon the nanotextured surface.

7. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein the second component surface includes: a second metal substrate; a second nanotextured surface disposed directly upon the second metal substrate having surface features in a size of 10.sup.−9 meters; a second ceramic coating conforming to the second nanotextured surface and including a second plurality of bio-active sites configured to attract and retain calcium and phosphorous cations; and a second transition zone disposed between the second metal substrate and the second ceramic coating, wherein the second transition zone includes a second concentration gradient transitioning from the second metal substrate to the second ceramic coating and wherein there is no distinct interface between the second metal substrate and the second ceramic coating.

8. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic coating is imbedded to a depth of about 5 nanometers below the nanotextured surface.

9. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein a grain structure of the ceramic coating is substantially amorphous.

10. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein the nanotextured surface is generated with a directional ion beam sputtering device.

11. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic coating is generated with an ion beam enhanced deposition (IBED) process.

12. An orthopaedic implant to replace a joint in a patient, the orthopaedic implant comprising: a first component having a first component surface; and a second component having a second component surface, wherein the first component surface and the second component surface are configured to mate at an interface, wherein the first component surface includes: a metal substrate; a nanotextured surface disposed directly upon the metal substrate having surface features in a size of 10.sup.−9 meters; and a ceramic coating conforming to the nanotextured surface and including a plurality of bio-active sites configured to attract and retain calcium and phosphorous cations, at least a portion of the ceramic coating being ballistically imbedded below the nanotextured surface with no distinct interface between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating.

13. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein the joint is selected from the group consisting of: a knee joint; a hip joint; a shoulder joint; an elbow joint; a finger joint; a wrist joint; a facet joint disposed between two vertebrae; a lumbar disc joint; and a toe joint.

14. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein the metal substrate is selected from the group consisting of; stainless steels; Co—Cr—Mo alloys; Zr alloys; and Ti alloys.

15. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 (alpha phase); zirconium oxide (Zr.sub.2O); silicon nitride (Si.sub.3N.sub.4); titanium nitride (TiN); metallic nitrides; and metallic carbides.

16. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein the nanotextured surface is configured to improve lubricity of the orthopaedic implant in the presence of bodily fluids.

17. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of bio-active sites are configured to improve lubricity of the orthopaedic implant by retaining calcium and phosphorous cations from synovial fluid upon the nanotextured surface.

18. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein the second component surface includes: a second metal substrate; a second nanotextured surface disposed directly upon the second metal substrate having surface features in a size of 10.sup.−9 meters; and a second ceramic coating conforming to the second nanotextured surface and including a second plurality of bio-active sites configured to attract and retain calcium and phosphorous cations, at least a portion of the second ceramic coating being ballistically imbedded below the second nanotextured surface with no distinct interface between the second metal substrate and the second ceramic coating.

19. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein the ceramic coating is imbedded to a depth of about 5 nanometers below the nanotextured surface.

20. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein a grain structure of the ceramic coating is substantially amorphous.

21. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein the nanotextured surface is generated with a directional ion beam sputtering device.

22. The orthopaedic implant according to claim 12, wherein the ceramic coating is generated with an ion beam enhanced deposition (IBED) process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional front elevation view illustrating a prosthetic hip joint suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a prosthetic knee joint suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-section detail view at an interface of a pair of coated surfaces according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-section detail view at an interface of a pair of coated surfaces according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-section detail view of a coated surface according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for coating a surface according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a scanning electron micrograph image of a test pin surface showing remnants of a lubricating film adhered to the surface of an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coating.

[0021] FIG. 8 is an energy dispersive X-ray analysis showing the presence of both calcium and phosphorus cations.

[0022] FIG. 9 is an exploded view illustrating a prosthetic shoulder joint suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIGS. 10A and 10B are exploded views illustrating a prosthetic elbow joint installed in bone and uninstalled, respectively, suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIGS. 11A and 11B are views illustrating a wrist joint installed in bone and uninstalled, respectively, suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a prosthetic ankle joint suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a prosthetic facet joint suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a prosthetic lumbar joint suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a prosthetic finger joint suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIGS. 16A and 16B are views illustrating a prosthetic toe joint and an element of the toe joint, respectively, suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The performance of orthopaedic implants 10 of all types and particularly those that provide motion when implanted in the body can be improved dramatically through the use of embodiments of the present invention. The surface treatments described herein may reduce the generation of wear debris, corrosion products, and metal ion leaching when applied to orthopaedic implants 10 of various designs and made from a wide variety of materials. Thus, when so-treated, orthopaedic implants 10 used in patients to restore skeletal motion impaired by injury or disease may reduce or eliminate the osteolysis, inflammatory and toxic response, and carcinogenic effects that can adversely affect conventional implants. This reduction in generation of wear debris is achieved by applying coatings to the articulating counterfaces of the implants that are more wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and self-lubricating than the various metallic, ceramic, and plastic materials the implants themselves are made from.

[0031] According to various embodiments of the invention, surfaces of orthopaedic implants may be treated to reduce wear and improve lubrication. In general, modular orthopaedic implants suitable for use with embodiments of the invention are varied in design and may employ articulating surfaces having different combinations of materials. In some suitable designs, one element may be a metal alloy and the opposed articulating element may be a polymer. In other suitable designs one element may be a metal alloy and the opposed articulating element may be a similar metal alloy. In yet other suitable designs one element may be a ceramic material and the opposed articulating element may be a polymer. And in still another suitable design one element may be a ceramic material and the opposed articulating element may be a similar ceramic material. By treating mating surfaces of the orthopaedic implants as described herein, friction, wear, corrosion, and/or fatigue may be minimized, resulting in a reduced generation of wear debris and metal ion release; and improved lubricity.

[0032] Orthopaedic implants treated according to various embodiments of this invention exhibit reduced generation and release of wear particles, corrosion products, and metallic ions into the body. This reduction in non-biologic contaminants results in a reduced inflammatory response of the body to the implant which improves the longevity of the implant residing in the body. The various embodiments of this invention provide an orthopaedic implant that exhibits reduced generation and release of metallic, plastic, and ceramic wear particles; corrosion products; and metallic ions into the body thereby reducing the inflammatory response of the skeletal tissue to the implant. This results in reducing osteolysis leading to loosening of the orthopaedic implant in the bone into which it is implanted, and enhances its longevity.

[0033] As described herein, a surface treatment may be applied to either one or both of the articulating opposed surfaces of the implant. The surface treatment provides hardness, wear-resistance and corrosion-resistance, and has self-lubricating features that further help reduce the generation and release of wear debris. This surface treatment may be a coating that is initially alloyed into one or more of the articulating surfaces of the implant to form a transition zone starting below the surface of the substrate and then grown to a finite dimensional thickness from the alloyed surface. This transition zone includes a concentration gradient transitioning from the metal substrate to the ceramic coating that has no distinct interface between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating. This facilitates relatively greater adhesion of the coating to the articulating surfaces of the implant as compared to conventional coatings. As such, delamination of the coating from the treated articulating surfaces of the implant is reduced or eliminated. In addition, the surface treatment provides a self-lubricating property to further reduce wear between the articulating elements. This is achieved by providing biologically active sites on the surface of the coatings that attract and hold natural lubricants such as synovial fluid or other extracellular fluids present in the tissue around the articulating elements. These fluid retentive surfaces act to provide a continuous thin layer of lubrication between the treated articulating elements which reduces or eliminates physical contact between the surfaces of the elements thus reducing or eliminating the generation and release of metallic, plastic, and ceramic wear debris; corrosion products; and metallic ions into the body.

[0034] Conventional case hardening and coating methods often undesirably alter the bulk properties of the materials to which they are applied. Specifically, the hardness, toughness, fracture-resistance, and dimensionality may be altered in an undesirable manner by conventional hardening and coating techniques. Post-coating heat-treatments and/or machining may be employed to return the bulk properties to these conventionally treated articles. However, many materials cannot be heat-treated without detrimental effects. Particular examples of materials that cannot be heat treated without detrimental effects include: any of the family of stainless steels, Co—Cr—Mo alloys, Ti—Al—V alloys, Zr alloys; alumina and zirconia ceramics; and plastics. It is an advantage of embodiments of the invention that the bulk properties of the implant material are substantially unaffected by surface treatments as described herein. As such, post-coating heat-treating or machining may be avoided.

[0035] The coating provided by the various surface treatments described herein may be applied to a metal substrate. These coatings include hard ceramic material such as aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3, alpha phase), zirconium oxide (Zr.sub.2O), metallic nitrides (such as TiN, Si.sub.3N.sub.4, CrN, ZrN, TaN), and/or metallic carbides (such as Cr.sub.2C, TiC, WC). The use of these and other hard ceramic materials further reduces abrasion of the coating. In this manner, orthopaedic implants 10 that have high bulk fracture/fatigue-resistant properties characteristic of metallic materials, and also have the high surface wear- and corrosion-resistant properties characteristic of hard ceramic materials may be provided by various embodiments of the invention. This is achieved by applying a ceramic material to the articulating surface of a metallic implant which minimizes the chance of catastrophic failure of the implant due to fracture of the bulk material.

[0036] The method of treating one or both of the articulating opposed bearing surfaces of the implant as described herein produces a thin nanocrystalline or nearly-amorphous coating that may include multiple contiguous layers of different materials such as metals (Cr, Ni, Ti, Zr, Al, and others) and hard ceramics such as aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3, alpha phase), zirconium oxide (Zr.sub.2O), or metallic nitrides (such as TiN, Si.sub.3N.sub.4, CrN, ZrN, TaN), or metallic carbides (such as Cr.sub.2C, TiC, WC), each grown directly and sequentially from the previously grown layer. In general, this coating process may be carried out at a temperature of 600 degrees Fahrenheit or less. This reduces or eliminates temperature induced changes in bulk properties or dimensions of the treated element. In addition this coating process produces a thin nanocrystalline or nearly-amorphous coating on the articulating surface thereby minimizing the possibility that intergranular cracks or voids in the coating can allow corrosion and subsequent release of metal ions and/or particle wear debris into the patient. Furthermore, this thin nanocrystalline or nearly-amorphous coating on the articulating surface minimizes the possibility that intergranular cracks in the coating can propagate into the underlying substrate to cause it to fail prematurely, as by a fatigue mechanism. It is a further advantage that coating applied as described herein are resistant to the effects of gamma ray sterilization procedures. Thus, the treated implants can sterilized without degrading the wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and self-lubricating properties of the treated implant.

[0037] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional front elevation view illustrating a prosthetic hip joint 10 suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the implant 10 is a multi-element modular mechanical construct for attachment to two skeletal members. In general the implant 10 is configured to allow motion between those two skeletal members. The artificial hip is comprised of an acetabular cup 12, femoral component 14, and in some designs an optional liner 16 may be included. The two elements attached to skeletal members include the acetabular cup 12 and femoral component 14. The acetabular cup 12 comprises two surfaces 20 and 22. The surface 20 is fastened to the bony acetabulum of the hip, and the surface 22 is concave in shape and can accept the convex portion of an opposed articulating element. The femoral component 14 includes a stem portion 24 and a spherical portion 26 (the femoral head). The stem portion 24 is inserted into the canal of the femoral bone of the leg and fastened therein. The outside surface 28 of spherical portion 26 of the femoral component 14 is mated to the concave surface 22 of the acetabular cup 12 and is configured to provide articulation between the leg and hip. In this manner, function of a patient's hip may be restored. If included, the liner 16 is interposed between surface 22 and surface 28. In this case the convex surface 30 of element 16 is fastened to the concave surface 22 of the acetabular cup 12, and the concave surface 32 accepts the convex surface 28 of the spherical portion 26. The designs of, and materials chosen for the acetabular cup 12, spherical portion 26 and liner 16 generally determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0038] FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a prosthetic knee joint suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the articulating orthopaedic implant 10 may include an artificial knee. The artificial knee includes a femoral condyle 38, tibial plateau 40, and tibial insert 42. The femoral condyle 38 and tibial plateau 40 may be attached to skeletal members of a patient. The femoral condyle 38 includes two surfaces 44 and 46. The surface 44 is fastened to the femoral bone of the leg, and surface 46 is convex in shape and is configured to accept the concave portion of an opposed articulating element such as the tibial insert 42. The tibial plateau 40 includes a bottom surface 48 and a top surface 50. The bottom surface 48 is attached to the top of the tibial bone of the leg and fastened thereon. The tibial insert 42 includes a top surface 52 which is mated to the convex surface 46 and is configured to facilitate articulation of the knee and thereby restore function to the knee. The tibial insert 42 includes a bottom surface 54 which is attached to the top surface 50 of the tibial plateau 40. Left untreated, the designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 38, 40 and 42 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0039] A variety of combinations of materials are suitable for use with the contacting articulating surfaces of elements in modular orthopaedic hips, knees and other implants according to various embodiments of the invention. These combinations include metal-polymer, ceramic-polymer, metal-metal, and ceramic-ceramic. When treated or coated as described herein, these material combinations reduce friction, wear, and corrosion in modular articulating orthopaedic implants 10. It is an advantage of embodiments of the invention that undesirable particle debris may be reduced or eliminated by the treatments described herein. Particular examples of drawbacks associated with untreated conventional materials are described in Table I and highlight the innovative features of the current invention.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Drawbacks of Conventional Implant Material Combinations Material Combi- Typical nation Materials Effects Metal-Polymer Metal Stainless Steel, Abrasive wear against UEMWPE Co—Cr—Mo, constantly removes passive oxide Ti—Al—V, Zr layer on the metal which releases metal ions which are potentially toxic and carcinogenic. Polymer UEMWPE Adhesive wear releases polymeric particle debris. Fatigue wear releases particulate debris, produces fatigue failure fragments, and plastic deformation and cracking of the UEMWPE. Polymeric wear debris and fragments leads to loosening of the implant. Ceramic-Polymer Ceramic Sintered Abrasive wear against UEMWPE less alumina or than that seen with metal components. zirconia Ceramic wear debris is considered biologically inert Polymer UEMWPE Adhesive wear releases polymeric particle debris. Fatigue wear releases particulate debris, produces fatigue failure fragments, and plastic deformation and cracking of the UEMWPE. Polymeric wear debris and fragments leads to loosening of the implant. Metal-Metal Metal Co—Cr—Mo, Abrasive wear against opposed Ti—Al—V, metallic surface constantly removes Zr passive oxide layer on the metal which releases metal ions which are potentially toxic and carcinogenic. Adhesive wear against opposed metallic surface will produce galling with constant generation of particulate metallic particle debris. Ceramic-Ceramic Ceramic Sintered Wear rate less than seen with metals alumina or and ceramic wear debris considered zirconia biologically inert. Bulk ceramic materials are brittle and subject to fatigue fracture producing large ceramic fragments and possible catastrophic failure.

[0040] Referring to Table I, it is seen that conventional polymeric materials such as UHMWPE are subject to abrasive, adhesive, and fatigue wear, all of which contribute to the release of polymeric particle debris. In addition the UHMWPE is soft and is subject to bulk plastic deformation and dimensional distortion. The surfaces of metallic components wearing against each other are also subject to abrasive, adhesive and fatigue failure. Abrasive rubbing of opposed metallic surfaces constantly removes passive oxide layers on both metal surfaces which release metal ions that are potentially toxic and carcinogenic. Adhesive wear between the opposed metal surfaces will produce galling and metal transfer with constant generation of particulate metallic particle debris. And under cyclic loading conditions the metal surfaces eventually show fatigue wear. Ceramic materials, when wearing against polymer and metal surfaces exhibit low coefficients of friction and generate relatively low levels of ceramic wear debris. Likewise ceramic elements wearing against each other produce relatively low levels of ceramic wear debris. However, bulk ceramic materials are brittle and subject to fatigue fracture producing large ceramic fragments and possible catastrophic failures.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a cross-section detail view at an interface between two coated surfaces according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the articulating orthopaedic implant 10 includes opposed elements that are both fabricated from metallic materials and the counter facing surfaces of both are treated to reduce wear, corrosion, ion leaching, and also to be self-lubricated. As shown in FIG. 3, when installed in a patient, a thin layer of lubrication 58 such as synovial fluid or the like is maintained between surfaces of opposing articulating elements 60 and 62. These opposing articulating elements 60 and 62 may be fabricated from a bulk metal 64 and 66 and both have the bulk hardness and fracture-toughness required for optimum performance and long useful life. In a particular example, the bulk metal 64 and 66 may include Co—Cr—Mo. The original surfaces of both elements are shown at 68 and 70. Using an ion beam enhanced deposition (IBED) process, described herein, a ceramic material is first alloyed into and below the original surfaces 68 and 70 of each opposed element 60 and 62. The presence of ceramic material in the sub-surface alloyed case layers 72 and 74 produces a high concentration of compressive forces in the surfaces which helps convert retained tensile stresses in the surfaces to compressive stresses with a consequent increase in fracture toughness of layers 72 and 74. Sub-surface alloyed case layers 72 and 74 also provide bonding zones from which thicker layers of the ceramic material can be grown as ceramic coatings of finite thickness, 76 and 78. Since ceramic coatings 76 and 78 are grown continuously from sub-surface alloyed case layers 72 and 74, there is no distinct interface between the original surfaces 68 and 70 and the coatings 76 and 78, and thus the ceramic coatings generated by this process are relatively less likely to delaminate from the surfaces 68 and 70 as compared to conventional coatings.

[0042] Furthermore, the IBED process allows a high degree of control over the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the ceramic coatings 76 and 78. The metallurgical composition can be maintained in a highly uniform manner throughout the ceramic coatings. As a result, properties such as hardness and wear-resistance can be optimized to reduce or eliminate wear debris generation from the metallic surface beneath the ceramic coating. The coating grain sizes can further be maintained in the nanometer (1×10.sup.−9 meter) range allowing the coatings to grow substantially void- and pinhole-free thus eliminating corrosion and ion leaching from the metallic surface beneath the ceramic coating. The metallurgical composition can also be tailored to provide biologically active sites on the external surfaces (80 and 82) of the ceramic coating that attract and hold natural lubricants (synovial or other extracellular fluids) present in the tissue around the articulating elements. These fluid retentive surfaces provide a continuously forming thin layer of lubrication 58 between the treated articulating elements that reduces or eliminates physical contact between the surfaces of the elements. In this manner, the generation and release of wear debris, corrosion products, and metallic ions into the body is reduced or eliminated.

[0043] The IBED process used to form a ceramic coating in and on the surfaces of the metallic articulating elements proceeds as a continuous, uninterrupted, two-step process described in the following Table II:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II Step 1 Surface Texturing) Step 2 (Coating) A B A B C D Article placed Surface Coating Initial case Thin Thicker in vacuum textured material layer of conformal coating grown chamber by ion evolved and coating coating grown while beam deposited on material while continuously sputtering surface of alloyed into continuously augmented by article surface of augmented by ion beam article ion beam

[0044] FIG. 4 is a cross-section detail view of a coated surface according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4 the orthopaedic implant 10 includes elements 84 and 86 in close proximity. In this embodiment, a multiple layer coating may be generated in and/or on each articulating surface of the orthopaedic implant 10. This is achieved by performing the IBED process to form a second (outer) coating layer in and out from the surface of the first (inner) layer. Referring to FIG. 4, one or both top surfaces of the coating (88 and 90) previously formed on the articulating surfaces of the orthopaedic implant 10 are shown at 92 and 94. A second material is first alloyed into and below the original surfaces 92 and 94 of the coatings 88 and 90 on each opposed element 84 and 86. Sub-surface alloyed case layers 96 and 98 also provide bonding zones from which thicker layers of the second material can be grown as coatings of finite thickness, 100 and 102. Since the second layer coatings 100 and 102 are grown continuously from sub-surface alloyed case layers 96 and 98, there is no distinct interface between the original surfaces 92 and 94 of the first coating (88 and 90) and the second coatings 100 and 102, and thus the second coatings are relatively less likely to delaminate from the first coatings 88 and 90 as compared to conventional coating procedures. Furthermore, the IBED process allows a high degree of control over the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the second coatings 100 and 102. The metallurgical composition can be maintained highly uniform throughout the second (outer) coating, thus properties like hardness and wear-resistance can be optimized to reduce or eliminate wear debris generation from the metallic surface or first (inner) coating beneath the second (outer) coating. The metallurgical composition can also be tailored to provide biologically active sites on the external surfaces (104 and 106) of the ceramic coating that attract and hold natural lubricants (synovial or other extracellular fluids) present in the tissue around the articulating elements. These fluid retentive surfaces provide a continuously forming thin layer of lubrication 108 between the treated articulating elements which eliminates physical contact between the surfaces of the elements thus eliminating the generation and release of wear debris, corrosion products, and metallic ions into the body.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a cross-section detail view of a coated surfaces according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the articulating opposed element is fabricated from a metallic material and the counter facing opposed element is fabricated from either a plastic or ceramic material, and the surface of only one element is treated to reduce wear, corrosion, ion leaching and also to be self-lubricated.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the articulating orthopaedic implant 10 includes opposed elements 130 and 132. In a particular example, the articulating element 130 is fabricated from a bulk metal alloy such as Co—Cr—Mo or Ti—Al—V (134) that has the bulk hardness and fracture-toughness required for optimum performance and long useful life. The counter facing articulating element (132) is fabricated from a bulk plastic or ceramic material. The original surface of the metallic articulating element is shown at 136. Using an IBED process, a ceramic material is first alloyed into and below the original surface 136 of element 130. The presence of ceramic material in the sub-surface alloyed case layer 138 produces a high concentration of compressive forces in the surface which helps convert retained tensile stresses in the surface to compressive stresses with a consequent increase in fracture toughness of layer 138. The sub-surface alloyed case layer 138 also provides a bonding zone from which a thicker layer of the ceramic material can be grown as a ceramic coating 140 of finite thickness. Since the ceramic coating 140 is grown continuously from sub-surface alloyed case layer 138, there is no distinct interface between the original surface 136 and the coating 140, and thus the ceramic coating is less likely to delaminate from the surface 136 as compared to conventional coating methods. Furthermore, the IBED process allows a high degree of control over the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the ceramic coating 140. The metallurgical composition can be maintained highly uniform throughout the ceramic coating, thus properties like hardness and wear-resistance can be optimized to eliminate wear debris generation from the metallic surface beneath the ceramic coating. And coating grain sizes can be maintained in the nanometer (1×10.sup.−9 meter) range allowing the coating to grow void- and pinhole-free thus eliminating corrosion and ion leaching from the metallic surface beneath the ceramic coating. The metallurgical composition can also be tailored to provide biologically active sites on the external surface (142) of the ceramic coating that attract and hold natural lubricants (synovial or other extracellular fluids) present in the tissue around the articulating elements. These fluid retentive surfaces provide a continuously forming thin layer of lubrication 144 between the treated and untreated articulating elements that eliminates physical contact between the surfaces of the elements thus reducing or eliminating the generation and release of metallic and plastic or ceramic wear debris, corrosion products, and metallic ions into the body.

[0047] The IBED process used to form a ceramic coating in and on the surfaces of the metallic articulating elements proceeds as a continuous, uninterrupted, two-step process is outlined below in Table III:

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE III Step 1 (Surface Texturing) Step 2 (Coating) A B A B C D Article placed Surface Coating Initial case Thin Thicker in vacuum textured material layer of conformal coating grown chamber by ion evolved and coating coating grown while beam deposited on material while continuously sputtering surface of alloyed into continuously augmented by article surface of augmented by ion beam article ion beam

[0048] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for coating a surface according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the treatment process may be performed in a vacuum vessel 150. A high vacuum environment is preferably maintained in the vacuum vessel 150 in order to allow a high degree of control over the quality of the coating formed in and on the surface of the article. One or more articles 152 may be affixed to a part platen 154. The part platen 154 is configured to provide suitable control of positioning of the articles during the separate cleaning and coating steps. The part platen 154 can rotate about its axis 156 and tilt about its center 158. The tilt angles and rotation rates are chosen such that the surfaces of the parts 152 to be treated are cleaned at the proper angle and the ceramic coating is applied at the proper angle and with good uniformity on the surfaces to be coated. A cleaning/augmenting ion beam source 160 is located within the vacuum chamber and generates a broad beam of cleaning/augmenting ions 162. The broad beam of cleaning/augmenting ions 162 is configured to perform initial cleaning of the surface of the article by sputtering (first step). An electron gun evaporator 164 is located within the vacuum vessel which produces evaporated coating material 166. The coating material 166 is sprayed onto the surface of the articles 152. The electron gun evaporator 164 is configured to contain multiple charges of coating material if a multiple layer coating is to be grown from the articulating surface of the implant. The beam of texturing/augmenting ions 162 is simultaneously applied to the surface of the articles 152 and is used initially to mix the coating material into the surface of the articles 152 forming an alloyed case layer in the surface, and then used to control the composition and crystal structure of the coating as it is grown out from the alloyed case layer (second step).

[0049] If multiple layers of coating material are to be applied, the beam of texturing/augmenting 162 ions is simultaneously applied to the surface of the first coating layer and is used initially to mix or ballistically embed the coating material into the surface of the first coating layer forming an alloyed case layer in the first coating layer, and then used to control the composition and crystal structure of the second coating layer as it is grown out from the first coating layer. During both the cleaning and alloying/coating step, the part platen 154 may be rotated about its axis 156 and oscillated about its center 158 to facilitate uniform coverage of the articles. A thickness measuring gauge 168 is positioned near the part platen 154 in order to monitor the arrival of the evaporated coating material 166 and control formation of the alloyed surface layer and then the thicker coating grown from the alloyed surface layer.

[0050] Preferably, the two-step treatment process is carried out sequentially in the same vacuum chamber without releasing the high vacuum to atmospheric pressure between steps. If this occurs a latent oxide layer will form on the cleaned surface and will interfere with the formation of the coating. It is also preferable to accurately control the intensities of the cleaning/augmenting ion beam and the angular position of the articles to be treated relative to this directional beam such that the surface alloyed layer and coating are applied uniformly to the surface to be treated.

[0051] Embodiments of the invention are further illustrated by the following non-limiting four Examples in which examples of particular coating parameter and test data associated with the coated items is presented.

EXAMPLE 1

[0052] Samples of Co—Cr—Mo materials used to manufacture the orthopaedic implants 10 were prepared and coated with a ceramic coating as described herein. The samples were pins and disks utilized in the standard Pin-On-Disk wear test procedure (ASTM F732-00(2006) Standard Test Method for Wear Testing of Polymeric Materials Used in Total Joint Prostheses, American Society For Testing and Materials). The wear of the coated pin and disks was measured and compared to the wear found with uncoated pins and disks manufactured from the same Co—Cr—Mo material.

[0053] In this case a two-layer coating was deposited on the pins and disks using the inventive IBED process. The first (inner) layer was titanium nitride (TiN) and the second (outer) layer was aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3). The procedures and processing parameters utilized to deposit the two-layer coating on the pin and disk sample materials are as follows:

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE IV Step 1: Surface Texturing Description Process Parameters A Pin & Disk materials placed in vacuum Vacuum: 1.0E(−07) Torr chamber on a rotatable articulated fixture which allows programmed orientation of the device during the process. B Surface of the Pin & Disk materials Ion Species: N textured by ion beam sputtering with the Beam Energy: 1000 eV ion beam from the augmenting ion source Beam Current: 4.4 mA/cm.sup.2 and manipulating the materials such that the Angle of incidence between 45-75 sputtering angle of incidence is maintained degrees on the surfaces to be textured Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM Time: 10 minutes Step 2: Coating by Vacuum Evaporation, TIN first (inner) layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 second Description Process Parameters (TiN) Process Parameters (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) A E-gun evaporator used Material: Ti Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 to melt and evaporate Part platen held at angle Part platen held at angle coating material between 25 and 75 between 25 and 75 degrees continuously onto degrees to evaporator flux to evaporator flux surface of Pin & Disk. Evolution Rate: 14.5 Evolution Rate: 10 Å/sec Å/sec Part Platen Rotation: 30 Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM RPM Temperature: 750° F. Temperature: <200° F. B Augmenting ion beam Ion species: N Ion species: Ar used to alloy the first Beam Energy: 1000 eV Beam Energy: 1000 eV few layers of the Beam Current: 4.4 Beam Current: 2.7 mA/cm.sup.2 evaporated coating mA/cm.sup.2 Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 material into device Material: Ti Part platen held at angle surface of the Pin & Part platen held at angle between 25 and 75 degrees Disk thus forming a between 25 and 75 to evaporator flux case layer. degrees to evaporator flux Time: 30 seconds Time: 40 seconds Part platen Rotation: 30 Part platen Rotation: 30 RPM RPM Temperature: 750° F. Temperature: <200° F. C Thin conformal Ion species: N Ion species: Ar coating is grown out Beam Energy: 800 eV Beam Energy: 800 eV from the alloyed case Beam Current: 4.4 Beam Current: 2.7 mA/cm.sup.2 layer as evaporation of mA/cm.sup.2 Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 the coating material Material: Ti Part platen held at angle continues. Part platen held at angle between 25 and 75 degrees Augmenting ion beam between 25 and 75 to evaporator flux used to control the degrees to evaporator flux Thickness: 50 A composition and Thickness: 50 A Part Platen Rotation: 30 crystal structure of the Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM coating as it is grown. RPM Temperature: 750° F. Temperature: <200° F. D Coating is grown out Ion species: N Ion species: Ar from the conformal Beam Energy: 800 eV Beam Energy: 800 eV coating as evaporation Beam Current: 4.4 Beam Current: 2.7 mA/cm.sup.2 of the coated material mA/cm.sup.2 Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 continues. Material: Ti Part platen held at angle Augmenting ion beam Part platen held at angle between 25 and 75 degrees used to control the between 25 and 75 to evaporator flux composition and degrees to evaporator flux Thickness: 50,000 Å crystal structure of the Thickness: 10,000 Å Part Platen Rotation: 30 coating as it is grown. Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM RPM Temperature: 750° F. Temperature: <200° F.

[0054] The test conditions and results of the Pin-On-Disk testing are seen in Table V. In this test, the pin and disk sample materials coated with a two layer TiN/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coating. As a result of a run for 2,000,000 inches of wear travel in the Pin-On-Disk tester a volumetric loss of 0.25 mm.sup.3 is shown. This compares to a volumetric loss of 2.1 mm.sup.3 measured for 2,000,000 inches of wear travel for uncoated Co—Cr—Mo material.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE V Comparison of Volumetric Wear Loss (ASTM, F732) Sample Material Load (lbs/in.sup.2) # of Inches Loss (mm.sup.3) IBED Coated Co—Cr—Mo 11,700 2,000,000 0.25 Co—Cr—Mo 1 11,700 2,000,000 2.1

EXAMPLE 2

[0055] A 5 micron thick single layer coating of chromium nitride (Cr.sub.2N) was deposited on a 304 stainless steel panel using the inventive process described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/042,150 and then tested for resistance to abrasive wear using a standard Taber Abraser Test. The test was applied using the procedure defined by Military Test Specification (MIL-A-8625F) in which an abrasive wheel (Taber, CS-10), impregnated with 50 micron diameter corundum grits, is rubbed against the coating surface with a loading of 2.2 pounds of force, and run for 10,000 abrasion cycles. The wear loss is measured and presented as the number of microns of coating lost per 10,000 wear cycles.

[0056] The procedures and processing parameters utilized to deposit the single layer Cr.sub.2N coating on the 304 stainless steel panel are described in Table VI as follows:

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE VI Step 1: Surface Texturing Description Process Parameters A Panel material placed in vacuum Vacuum: 1.0E(−07) Torr chamber on a rotatable articulated fixture which allows programmed orientation of the device during the process. B Surface of the Panel material Ion Species: N textured by ion beam sputtering Beam Energy: 1000 eV with the ion beam from the Beam Current: 4.4 augmenting ion source and mA/cm.sup.2 manipulating the materials such Angle of incidence that the sputtering angle of between 45-75 degrees incidence is maintained on the Part Platen Rotation: 30 surfaces to be textured RPM Time: 10 minutes Step 2: Coating by Vacuum Evaporation, Cr.sub.2N Process Parameters Description (Cr.sub.2N) A E-gun evaporator used to melt Material: Cr and evaporate coating material Part platen held at angle continuously onto surface of the between 25 and 75 Panel degrees to evaporator flux Evolution Rate: 12 Å/sec Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM Temperature: <200° F. B Augmenting ion beam used to Ion species: N alloy the first few layers of the Beam Energy: 1000 eV evaporated coating material into Beam Current: 3.4 device surface of the Panel thus mA/cm.sup.2 forming a case layer. Material: Cr Part platen held at angle between 25 and 75 degrees to evaporator flux Time: 40 seconds Part platen Rotation: 30 RPM Temperature: <200° F. C Thin conformal coating is grown Ion species: N out from the alloyed case layer Beam Energy: 800 eV as evaporation of the coating Beam Current: 3.4 material continues. Augmenting mA/cm.sup.2 ion beam used to control the Material: Cr composition and crystal Part platen held at angle structure of the coating as it is between 25 and 75 grown. degrees to evaporator flux Thickness: 50 A Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM Temperature: <200° F. D Coating is grown out from the Ion species: N conformal coating as Beam Energy: 800 eV evaporation of the coated Beam Current: 3.4 material continues. Augmenting mA/cm.sup.2 ion beam used to control the Material: Cr composition and crystal Part platen held at angle structure of the coating as it is between 25 and 75 grown. degrees to evaporator flux Thickness: 50,000 Å Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM Temperature: <200° F. 1 (R.A. Poggie, “A Review Of The Effects Of Design, Contact Stress, And Materials On The Wear Of Metal-On-Metal Hip Prostheses,” from Alternate Bearing Surfaces In Total Joint Replacement, American Society for Testing and Materials, Special Technical Publication STP 1346, 1998)

[0057] The result of the Taber Abrasive Wear Testing is seen in Table VII. The MED Cr.sub.2N coating, showed a loss of 0.15 microns (μ) in thickness for the 10,000 cycles of abrasive wear. This compares to a thickness loss of 2.82 microns measured for 10,000 cycles of abrasive wear on uncoated Co—Cr—Mo material with a Rockwell “C” Scale Hardness of 45, that typical of material used for orthopaedic hip and knee implant components.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE VII Taber Wear Measurement (MIL-A-8625F) Material Abrasive # of Cycles Wear (μ) IBED Cr.sub.2N Coating CS-10 10,000 0.15 Co—Cr—Mo (R.sub.C 45) CS-10 10.000 2.82

EXAMPLE 3

[0058] A 5 micron thick single layer coating of aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) was deposited on a 304 stainless steel panel as described herein and then tested for resistance to abrasive wear using a standard Taber Abraser Test. The test was applied using the procedure defined by Military Test Specification (MIL-A-8625F) in which an abrasive wheel (Taber, CS-10), impregnated with 50 micron diameter corundum grits, is rubbed against the coating surface with a loading of 2.2 pounds of force, and run for 10,000 abrasion cycles. The wear loss is measured and presented as the number of microns of coating lost per 10,000 wear cycles.

[0059] The procedures and processing parameters utilized to deposit the single layer Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coating on the 304 stainless steel panel are illustrated in Table VIII as follows:

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE VIII Step 1: Surface Texturing Description Process Parameter A Panel material placed in vacuum Vacuum: 1.0E(−07) Torr chamber on a rotatable articulated fixture which allows programmed orientation of the device during the process. B Surface of the Panel material Ion Species: Ar textured by ion beam sputtering Beam Energy: 1000 eV with the ion beam from the Beam Current: 4.4 augmenting ion source and mA/cm.sup.2 manipulating the materials such Angle of incidence that the sputtering angle of between 45-75 degrees incidence is maintained on the Part Platen Rotation: 30 surfaces to be textured RPM Time: 10 minutes Step 2: Coating by Vacuum Evaporation, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 Process Parameters Description (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) A E-gun evaporator used to melt Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and evaporate coating material Part platen held at angle continuously onto surface of the between 25 and 75 Panel degrees to evaporator flux Evolution Rate: 12 Å/sec Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM Temperature: <200° F. B Augmenting ion beam used to Ion species: Ar alloy the first few layers of the Beam Energy: 1000 eV evaporated coating material into Beam Current: 2.7 device surface of the Panel thus mA/cm.sup.2 forming a case layer. Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 Part platen held at angle between 25 and 75 degrees to evaporator flux Time: 40 seconds Part platen Rotation: 30 RPM Temperature: <200° F. C Thin conformal coating is grown Ion species: Ar out from the alloyed case layer Beam Energy: 800 eV as evaporation of the coating Beam Current: 2.7 material continues. Augmenting mA/cm.sup.2 ion beam used to control the Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 composition and crystal Part platen held at angle structure of the coating as it is between 25 and 75 grown. degrees to evaporator flux Thickness: 50 A Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM Temperature: <200° F. D Coating is grown out from the Ion species: Ar conformal coating as Beam Energy: 800 eV evaporation of the coated Beam Current: 2.7 material continues. Augmenting mA/cm.sup.2 ion beam used to control the Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 composition and crystal Part platen held at angle structure of the coating as it is between 25 and 75 grown. degrees to evaporator flux Thickness: 50,000 Å Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM Temperature: <200° F.

[0060] The result of the Taber Abrasive Wear Testing is seen in Table IX. The IBED Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coating, showed a loss of 0.07 microns (μ) in thickness for the 10,000 cycles of abrasive wear. This compares to a thickness loss of 2.82 microns measured for 10,000 cycles of abrasive wear on uncoated Co—Cr—Mo material with a Rockwell “C” Scale Hardness of 45, that typical of material used for orthopaedic hip and knee implant components.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE IX Taber Wear Measurement (MIL-A-8625F) Material Abrasive # of Cycles Wear (μ) IBED Al.sub.2O.sub.3 Coating CS-10 10,000 0.07 Co—Cr—Mo (R.sub.C 45) CS-10 10.000 2.82

EXAMPLE 4

[0061] Pin and disk samples were prepared from Co—Cr—Mo material used to manufacture orthopaedic implants, and then coated with a ceramic coating as described herein in order to test the fluid retentive properties of the deposited ceramic. In this case a two-layer coating was deposited on the Co—Cr—Mo pin and disk using the inventive MED process. The first (inner) layer was titanium nitride (TiN) and the second (outer) layer was aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3). The procedures and processing parameters utilized to deposit the two-layer coating on the Co—Cr—Mo pin and disk samples are illustrated in Table X as follows:

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE X Step 1: Surface Texturing Description Process Parameters A Pin & Disk materials placed in vacuum Vacuum: 1.0E(−07) Torr chamber on a rotatable articulated fixture which allows programmed orientation of the device during the process. B Surface of the Pin & Disk materials Ion Species: N textured by ion beam sputtering with the Beam Energy: 1000 eV ion beam from the augmenting ion Beam Current: 4.4 mA/cm.sup.2 source and manipulating the materials Angle of incidence between 45-75 such that the sputtering angle of degrees incidence is maintained on the surfaces Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM to be textured Time: 10 minutes Step 2: Coating by Vacuum Evaporation, TiN first (inner) layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 second Description Process Parameters (TiN) Process Parameters (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) A E-gun evaporator Material: Ti Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 used to melt and Part platen held at angle Part platen held at angle evaporate coating between 25 and 75 between 25 and 75 degrees material degrees to evaporator flux to evaporator flux continuously onto Evolution Rate: 14.5 Evolution Rate: 10 Å/sec surface of Pin & Å/sec Part Platen Rotation: 30 Disk. Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM RPM Temperature: 750° F. Temperature: <200° F. B Augmenting ion Ion species: N Ion species: Ar beam used to alloy Beam Energy: 1000 eV Beam Energy: 1000 eV the first few layers Beam Current: 4.4 Beam Current: 2.7 mA/cm.sup.2 of the evaporated mA/cm.sup.2 Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coating material Material: Ti Part platen held at angle into device surface Part platen held at angle between 25 and 75 degrees of the Pin & Disk between 25 and 75 to evaporator flux thus forming a degrees to evaporator flux Time: 30 seconds case layer. Time: 40 seconds Part platen Rotation: 30 Part platen Rotation: 30 RPM RPM Temperature: 750° F. Temperature: <200° F. C Thin conformal Ion species: N Ion species: Ar coating is grown Beam Energy: 800 eV Beam Energy: 800 eV out from the Beam Current: 4.4 Beam Current: 2.7 mA/cm.sup.2 alloyed case layer mA/cm.sup.2 Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 as evaporation of Material: Ti Part platen held at angle the coating Part platen held at angle between 25 and 75 degrees material between 25 and 75 to evaporator flux continues. degrees to evaporator flux Thickness: 50 A Augmenting ion Thickness: 50 A Part Platen Rotation: 30 beam used to Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM control the RPM Temperature: 750° F. composition and Temperature: <200° F. crystal structure of the coating as it is grown. D Coating is grown Ion species: N Ion species: Ar out from the Beam Energy: 800 eV Beam Energy: 800 eV conformal coating Beam Current: 4.4 Beam Current: 2.7 mA/cm.sup.2 as evaporation of mA/cm.sup.2 Material: Al.sub.2O.sub.3 the coated Material: Ti Part platen held at angle material Part platen held at angle between 25 and 75 degrees continues. between 25 and 75 to evaporator flux Augmenting ion degrees to evaporator flux Thickness: 50,000 Å beam used to Thickness: 10,000 Å Part Platen Rotation: 30 control the Part Platen Rotation: 30 RPM composition and RPM Temperature: 750° F. crystal structure of Temperature: <200° F. the coating as it is grown.

[0062] An additional set of pin-on-disk samples was prepared from solid, single crystal, alpha phase Al.sub.2O.sub.3. The counter facing surfaces of this pin-on-disk set would not have the same surface nanostructure, and thus fluid-retentive properties, as would the Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coating deposited on the Co—Cr—Mo samples using the inventive process.

[0063] Both sample pin and disk sets were tested according to the standard pin-on-disk wear test procedure (ASTM F732-00(2006) “Standard Test Method for Wear Testing of Polymeric Materials Used in Total Joint Prostheses, American Society for Testing and Materials”). The samples were immersed in defined bovine calf serum as a lubricant (Hyclone Labs: Cat. No. SH30073.04) during the entirety of the test. After completion of 2,000,000 cycles in the pin-on-disk test, both sample sets were carefully dried and the surface the pins imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the surface composition analyzed with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX).

[0064] No residue was detected by either SEM imaging or EDAX analysis on the surface of the single crystal, alpha phase, pin indicating that the surface of the solid Al.sub.2O.sub.3 pin did not have the properties of a fluid-retentive surface. The IBED-coated Co—Cr—Mo pin surface did however show remnants of a film that had been retained on the surface of the Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coating. FIG. 7, is a scanning electron micrograph image of the pin surface showing remnants of the lubricating film still adhered to the surface of the Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coating. FIG. 8 is an energy dispersive X-ray analysis showing the presence of both Ca and P cations which are inorganic elements present in the defined bovine calf serum proteins. Thus it is confirmed that the structure and surface activity of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 coatings as deposited by the inventive IBED process acts as a fluid retentive surface which maintains the self-lubricating performance of orthopaedic implants so-treated.

[0065] Conclusions:

[0066] The orthopaedic implants 10 with surface treatments provided by this invention will generate less debris in the form of wear products, corrosion products, and metallic ion leaching which are liberated and transported to bone, blood, the lymphatic system, and other internal organs. This will result in less inflammation, toxicity, and immune response resulting in increased longevity of the orthopaedic implant 10 and less adverse effects on the patient. The surface treatments can be applied to a variety of the materials used to fabricate the articulating elements of the modular orthopaedic implants 10, and are useful for a variety of combinations of metal, ceramic, and polyethylene articulating elements.

[0067] In addition to orthopedic implants where the inventive process is applied to both mating surfaces of an articulating joint there are other devices which articulate in which it is appropriate to apply the inventive process to only one mating surface. These devices include, and are not be limited to, the knee, the hip, the shoulder, the elbow (ulna), the wrist, the ankle, spine disc, spine facet, the finger, and the toe.

[0068] The design of another typical modular articulating orthopaedic implant, for example an artificial shoulder, is shown in FIG. 9. The implant is a multi-element modular mechanical construct with means for attachment to two skeletal members, and means for allowing motion between those two skeletal members. The artificial shoulder is comprised of element 110 (the stem) and element 120 (the plastic socket). The two elements attached to skeletal members include elements 110 and 120. Element 110 comprises two surfaces, surface 111 is fastened to the humerus of the upper arm, and surface 112 is convex in shape and can accept the concave portion of an opposed articulating element. Element 120 comprises a bottom surface 121 and a top surface 122. The bottom surface 121 of element 120 is attached to the glenoid of the scapula and fastened thereon. The top surface 122 of element 120 is mated to the convex surface 112 of element 110 and provides means for articulation of the shoulder thereby restoring function. The top surface 112 of element 110 is treated with the inventive process. The designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 110 and 120 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0069] The design of another typical modular articulating orthopaedic implant, for example an elbow, is shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. The elbow implant is a multi-element modular mechanical construct with means for attachment to two skeletal members, and means for allowing motion between those two skeletal members. The artificial elbow is comprised of element 210 (the humeral component), element 220 (the ulnar component), and element 230 (the plastic insert). The two elements attached to skeletal members include elements 210 and 220. Element 210 comprises two surfaces, surface 211 is fastened to the humeral bone of the upper arm, and surface 212 is shaped like a “Y”. Element 220 comprises a bottom surface 221 and a top surface 222. The bottom surface 221 of element 220 is attached to the ulnar bone of the lower arm and fastened thereon. Surface 222 of Element 220 has an internal surface machined to accept the plastic insert Element 230. Surface 212 of Element 210 is designed to accept surface 222 of Element 220 by insertion between the spaces in the top of the “Y”. Surface 222 of Element 220 is secured by insertion of pins 213 through both surfaces 212 and 222. Securing the top surface 222 of element 220 to the top surface 212 of element 210 with pins 213 provides means for articulation of the elbow thereby restoring function. The top surface 222 of element 220 is treated with the inventive process. The designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 210, 220 and 230 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0070] The design of another typical modular articulating orthopaedic implant, for example a wrist, is shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The implant is a multi-element modular mechanical construct with means for attachment to two skeletal members, and means for allowing motion between those two skeletal members. The artificial wrist is comprised of element 310 (the radial component), element 320 (the carpal component), and element 330 (the plastic spacer). The two elements attached to skeletal members include elements 310 and 320. Element 310 comprises two surfaces, surface 311 is fastened to the radial bone, and surface 312 is concave in shape and can accept the convex portion of an opposed articulating element. Element 320 comprises a bottom surface 321 and a top surface 322. The bottom surface 321 of element 320 is attached to the carpal bones and fastened thereon. The top surface 322 of element 320 is attached to the top surface 331 of element 330. The bottom surface 332 of element 330 is mated to the concave surface 312 of element 310 and provides means for articulation of the wrist thereby restoring function. The top surface 312 of element 310 is treated with the inventive process. The designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 310, 320 and 330 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0071] The design of another typical modular articulating orthopaedic implant, for example an ankle, is shown in FIG. 12. The implant is a multi-element modular mechanical construct with means for attachment to two skeletal members, and means for allowing motion between those two skeletal members. The artificial ankle is comprised of element 410 (the tibial component), element 420 (the plastic spacer), and element 430 (the talar component). The two elements attached to skeletal members include elements 410 and 430. Element 410 comprises two surfaces, surface 411 is fastened to the lower end of the tibial bone, and surface 412 is concave in shape and can accept the convex portion of the top surface 421 of element 420 (the plastic spacer). Element 420 comprises a top surface 421 and a bottom surface 422. The top surface 421 of element 420 is convex in shape and can mate to the bottom surface 412 of element 410. The bottom surface 422 of element 420 is concave and is mated to the top surface 431 of element 430 (the talar component) and provides means for articulation of the ankle thereby restoring function. The top surface 431 of element 430 is treated with the inventive process. The designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 410, 420 and 430 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0072] The design of another typical modular articulating orthopaedic implant, for example a facet joint replacement, is shown in FIG. 13. The implant is a multi-element modular mechanical construct with means for attachment to two skeletal members, and means for allowing motion between those two skeletal members. The facet joint replacement is comprised of element 510, element 520, and element 530. The two elements that are attached to skeletal members include elements 510 and 520. Element 510 comprises two surfaces, surface 511 is fastened to a vertebral body, and surface 512 is concave in shape and can accept the convex portion of an opposed articulating element. Element 520 comprises two surfaces, surface 521 is fastened to the body of an adjacent vertebrae and surface 522 is concave in shape and can accept the convex portion of an opposed articulating element. Element 530 comprises two surfaces 531 and 532 both of which are convex. Surface 531 of element 530 is mated to surface 512 of element 510, and surface 532 of element 530 is mated to surface 522 of element 520 thereby providing means for articulation of the vertebrae thereby restoring function. Surface 512 of element 510 and surface 522 of element 520 are treated with the inventive process. The designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 510, 520 and 530 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0073] The design of another typical modular articulating orthopaedic implant, for example a lumbar disc replacement, is shown in FIG. 14. The implant is a multi-element modular mechanical construct with means for attachment to two skeletal members, and means for allowing attachment between those two skeletal members. The lumbar disc replacement is comprised of element 610, element 620, and element 630. The two elements that are attached to skeletal members include elements 610 and 620. Element 610 comprises two surfaces, surface 611 is fastened to a vertebral body, and surface 612 can accept the surface of an opposed articulating element. Element 620 comprises two surfaces, surface 621 is fastened to an adjacent vertebrae and surface 622 can accept the surface of an opposed articulating element. Element 630 comprises two outside surfaces 631 and 632. Surface 631 of element 630 is mated to surface 612 of element 610, and surface 632 of element 630 is mated to surface 622 of element 620 thereby providing means for connection and articulation of the vertebrae thereby restoring function. Surface 612 of element 610 and surface 622 of element 620 are treated with the inventive process. The designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 610, 620 and 630 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0074] The design of another typical modular articulating orthopaedic implant, for example a finger, is shown in FIG. 15. The implant is a multi-element modular mechanical construct with means for attachment to two skeletal members, and means for allowing motion between those two skeletal members. The artificial finger is comprised of element 710, element 720, and element 730. The two elements attached to skeletal members include elements 710 and 720. Element 720 comprises two surfaces, surface 721 is fastened to the bone of a finger, and surface 722 is flat and is attached to surface 731 of element 730. Element 710 comprises two surfaces, surface 711 is fastened to the more distal bone of the same finger, and surface 712 is convex and mates to the concave surface 732 of element 730 which provides means for articulation of the finger thereby restoring function. Surface 712 of element 710 is treated with the inventive process. The designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 710, 720 and 730 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0075] The design of another typical modular articulating orthopaedic implant, for example a toe, is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. The implant is a multi-element modular mechanical construct with means for attachment to two skeletal members, and means for allowing motion between those two skeletal members. The artificial toe is comprised of element 810 (Metatarsal Head Articular Component), element 820 (Proximal Phalanx Fixation Component), and element 830 (Proximal Phalanx Articular Insert). The two elements attached to skeletal members include elements 810 and 820. Element 810 comprises two surfaces, surface 811 is fastened to the metatarsal bone, and surface 812 is convex and mates to the concave surface 832 of element 830. Element 820 comprises two surfaces, surface 821 is fastened to the proximal phalanx, and surface 822 connects to surface 831 of element 830. Surface 832 of element 830 is concave and mates to surface 812 of element 810 which provides means for articulation of the toe thereby restoring function. Surface 812 of element 810 is treated with the inventive process. The designs of, and materials chosen for the elements 810, 820 and 830 will determine the nature and rate of generation of the wear debris and products released into the body.

[0076] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.