{
  "patent_number": "US 12735774",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Making Strong, X-Ray Visible Cobalt Alloys for Medical Implants",
  "original_title": "Processing of cobalt-tungsten alloys",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "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).",
  "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."
  ],
  "filed": "2023-05-26",
  "granted": "2026-09-15",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": null,
  "holder_url": null,
  "inventors": [],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "medical_devices",
    "materials",
    "biotech",
    "semiconductors"
  ],
  "abstract": "Radiopaque implantable structures (e.g., stents) formed of cobalt-based alloys that comprise cobalt, chromium, tungsten, nickel, and platinum or another another metal having an atomic number or density greater than that of cobalt for increased radiopacity. In particular, processes are described for removing precipitate inclusions (e.g., tungsten rich precipitates) that render the alloy otherwise unsuitable for use in formation of a stent or similar implantable structure. The alloy with such precipitate inclusions can be heat treated within a narrow temperature range of about 1250° C. (e.g., 1225° C. to 1275° C.) for a time period in a narrow range of about 30 minutes (e.g., 20 to 40 minutes), to remove such precipitate inclusions. Higher temperatures and/or longer treatment times surprisingly do not resolve the precipitate inclusions, but treatment at about 1250° C. for about 30 minutes substantially removes the precipitates, resulting in a substantially homogenous structure suitable for use as a stent.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735774/processing-of-cobalt-tungsten-alloys",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735774/processing-of-cobalt-tungsten-alloys/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12735774",
  "relatedPatents": []
}