Making Strong, X-Ray Visible Cobalt Alloys for Medical Implants
This patent describes a specific heat treatment process to remove unwanted particles from cobalt-based alloys, making them strong and visible on X-rays for use in medical implants like stents.
Original patent title: “Processing of cobalt-tungsten alloys”
This patent describes a specific heat treatment process to remove unwanted particles from cobalt-based alloys, making them strong and visible on X-rays for use in medical implants like stents. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a method for improving cobalt-based alloys, specifically those containing cobalt, chromium, tungsten, nickel, and a heavy metal like platinum, to make them suitable for implantable structures such as stents. The core mechanism involves a precise heat treatment to remove 'precipitate inclusions,' which are tiny, unwanted particles (like tungsten-rich precipitates) that weaken the alloy. The process requires heating the alloy within a narrow temperature range of about 1225° C. to 1275° C. (specifically around 1250° C.) for a short period, approximately 20 to 40 minutes (specifically around 30 minutes). This treatment results in a 'substantially homogenous structure,' meaning the material becomes uniform and strong enough for medical use, while also being 'radiopaque' (visible on X-rays).
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover heat treatments outside the narrow temperature range of 1225° C. to 1275° C. for removing these specific precipitates.
- Does not cover heat treatment durations significantly longer or shorter than 20 to 40 minutes for the described effect.
- Does not cover alloys that do not include tungsten or a heavy metal with an atomic number or density greater than cobalt for radiopacity.
- Does not cover processes for removing precipitate inclusions that are not tungsten-rich or of a different chemical nature.
- Does not cover the formation of implantable structures from alloys that are not intended to be radiopaque.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The surprising discovery is that only a very specific and narrow window of heat treatment (around 1250° C. for about 30 minutes) effectively removes the unwanted tungsten-rich precipitates. Higher temperatures or longer times, which one might intuitively think would work better, actually fail to resolve these inclusions, making the material unsuitable.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Coronary stents
Peripheral vascular stents
Other radiopaque implantable structures
Medical guidewires
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Radiopaque implantable structures, like stents, are crucial in medicine because doctors need to see them clearly using X-ray imaging after they are placed inside a patient. This patent addresses a critical material science challenge: ensuring these alloys are not only visible but also structurally sound and free from defects that could cause failure. By providing a precise method to remove harmful precipitates, it enables the creation of safer and more reliable medical devices, directly impacting patient outcomes and the longevity of implants.
Filed
May 26, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies specializing in medical device manufacturing, particularly those producing cardiovascular stents and other implantable structures, are likely to be interested in or building upon this type of materials processing. Major players like Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott, which develop and manufacture a wide range of implantable medical devices, constantly seek improved material properties for their products.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the ongoing effort to improve the safety and efficacy of implantable medical devices. By enabling the production of more reliable and structurally sound radiopaque alloys, it helps ensure that critical devices like stents can perform as intended for longer periods. This advancement supports the development of next-generation implants, potentially reducing complications and improving patient care in the cardiovascular and other medical fields.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a method for improving cobalt-based alloys, specifically those containing cobalt, chromium, tungsten, nickel, and a heavy metal like platinum, to make them suitable for implantable structures such as stents. The core mechanism involves a precise heat treatment to remove 'precipitate inclusions,' which are tiny, unwanted particles (like tungsten-rich precipitates) that weaken the alloy. The process requires heating the alloy within a narrow temperature range of about 1225° C. to 1275° C. (specifically around 1250° C.) for a short period, approximately 20 to 40 minutes (specifically around 30 minutes). This treatment results in a 'substantially homogenous structure,' meaning the material becomes uniform and strong enough for medical use, while also being 'radiopaque' (visible on X-rays).
The clever bit
The surprising discovery is that only a very specific and narrow window of heat treatment (around 1250° C. for about 30 minutes) effectively removes the unwanted tungsten-rich precipitates. Higher temperatures or longer times, which one might intuitively think would work better, actually fail to resolve these inclusions, making the material unsuitable.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover heat treatments outside the narrow temperature range of 1225° C. to 1275° C. for removing these specific precipitates.
- Does not cover heat treatment durations significantly longer or shorter than 20 to 40 minutes for the described effect.
- Does not cover alloys that do not include tungsten or a heavy metal with an atomic number or density greater than cobalt for radiopacity.
- Does not cover processes for removing precipitate inclusions that are not tungsten-rich or of a different chemical nature.
- Does not cover the formation of implantable structures from alloys that are not intended to be radiopaque.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$29K – $92K
Midpoint $58K · 16.6 yr remaining · industry ×2.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Making Strong, X-Ray Visible Cobalt Alloys for Medical Implants (U.S. Patent No. 12,735,774). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735774/processing-of-cobalt-tungsten-alloys
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Making Strong, X-Ray Visible Cobalt Alloys for Medical Implants cover?
This patent describes a specific heat treatment process to remove unwanted particles from cobalt-based alloys, making them strong and visible on X-rays for use in medical implants like stents.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Radiopaque implantable structures, like stents, are crucial in medicine because doctors need to see them clearly using X-ray imaging after they are placed inside a patient. This patent addresses a critical material science challenge: ensuring these alloys are not only visible but also structurally sound and free from defects that could cause failure. By providing a precise method to remove harmful precipitates, it enables the creation of safer and more reliable medical devices, directly impacting patient outcomes and the longevity of implants.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover heat treatments outside the narrow temperature range of 1225° C. to 1275° C. for removing these specific precipitates.
Patent monitoring