Metal coating of controlled porosity and thickness - applied to metal substrate, esp. for use as human heart valve prosthesis

摘要

The substrate is coated with adhesive on those zones where coating is required, and metal powder is deposited on the adhesive. This is followed by sintering to bond metals and burn off the adhesive, leaving interconnected voids round metal particles. The adhesive is pref. applied by a brush followed by the metal powder, the surplus powder being blown off by a gas so only a single layer of particles is formed. Used esp. for a human heart valve prosthesis, where body tissue can grow into the interconnecting pores. This reduces the possibility of thrombosis occurring in the year after implantation of the prosthesis.