CPC A61L 27/50 (2013.01) [A61L 27/04 (2013.01); A61L 27/306 (2013.01); A61L 2400/18 (2013.01)] | 11 Claims |
1. A method for forming a medical implant, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate comprising a first biocompatible metal;
diffusing at least a second biocompatible metal into the first biocompatible metal to form a surface alloyed zone, the diffusion occurring at least at the surface of said substrate; and
diffusion hardening at least a portion of said surface alloyed zone to form a hardened zone, wherein at least a portion of said hardened zone is within at least a portion of said surface alloyed zone.
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