Chemical vapor infiltration apparatus and process

摘要

The present invention relates to improvements in chemical vapor infiltration processes and devices for depositing a biocompatible material onto a porous substrate to form an orthopedic implant. The substrate may be formed of reticulated vitreous foam and coated with tantalum, niobium, tungsten, or other biocompatible materials.

主权项

1. A method of operating a chemical vapor infiltration apparatus to produce an orthopedic implant, the method comprising the steps of:
placing a porous substrate in a reaction chamber of the chemical vapor infiltration apparatus, the reaction chamber having a first end and a second end with an exhaust gas outlet located proximate said second end; exposing the porous substrate to a process gas in the reaction chamber as the process gas flows through the reaction chamber in a direction toward the exhaust gas outlet, wherein the process gas carries a biocompatible metal for depositing the biocompatible metal onto the porous substrate in the reaction chamber; and controlling temperature in the reaction chamber during said exposing, wherein said controlling includes creating a temperature profile in the reaction chamber in which temperatures increase in said direction toward the exhaust gas outlet, wherein the chemical vapor infiltration apparatus includes a repositionable heat source positioned around the reaction chamber for providing heat to the reaction chamber during said exposing.