METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ARTIFICIAL JOINTS BY THE APPLICATION OF GAS CLUSTER ION BEAM TECHNOLOGY

摘要

The present invention applies gas cluster ion beam 'GCIB' technology to modify artificial joint component surfaces and reduce wear debris, osteolysis complications, and accelerated wear failure. A gas cluster particle source (116) produces gas cluster particles to be ionized (122) and accelerated (126). The GCIB is then directed to a non-uniform patterning means (132) to impinge a desired artificial joint (10) with a predetermined dose and distribution of ionized gas cluster particles.