METHOD FOR PRODUCING UNDERCUT MICRORECESSES IN A SURFACE, A SURGICAL IMPLANT MADE THEREBY, AND METHOD FOR FIXING AN IMPLANT TO BONE

摘要

Method for producing a multiplicity of undercut micro recesses in a surface (12) of an article (10), such that the article exhibits a greater fractal area at a level below the surface than is exhibited at the surface (12). The method comprises applying a maskant layer to a selected surface of the article (10), removing the maskant layer in selected loci to expose underlying portions of the article surface in a selected pattern, applying an etchant to the exposed underlying surface portions for a time sufficient to etch the exposed portions of the article (10) and to enable the etchant to etch beneath portions of the remaining maskant layer, and removing the remaining maskant layer to provide the surface in exposed condition with the multiplicity of undercut recesses, to provide an engineered pattern of the recesses.