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US-20260123962-A1 - HEAT TREATMENT OF A METAL ALLOY

US20260123962A1US 20260123962 A1US20260123962 A1US 20260123962A1US-20260123962-A1

Abstract

A medical device that includes special heat treated components and a method for heat treating the metal alloy for the medical device.

Inventors

  • Noah Roth
  • Jay Yadav
  • Ravi Enneti
  • Jordan Bauman

Assignees

  • MIRUS LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251218

Claims (20)

  1. 1 - 32 . (canceled)
  2. 33 . A metal rod or tube that that is formed of a metal alloy and which metal rod or tube fully forms a medical device or forms a portion of a medical device; said metal rod or tube has one or more physical properties that are different along a longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube that are selected from a) a different flexibility or bendability along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube due to said metal rod or tube being subjected to different processing parameters at different locations along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube, b) a different yield strength along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube due to said metal rod or tube being subjected to different processing parameters at different locations along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube, c) a different ultimate tensile strength along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube due to said metal rod or tube being subjected to different processing parameters at different locations along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube, and/or d) a different metal alloy crystalline structure along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube due to said metal rod or tube being subjected to different processing parameters at different locations along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube; said different processing parameters includes subjecting different portions of said metal rod or tube along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube to a different final heat treatment process; said different final heat treatment process includes I) subjecting said metal rod or tube to a different final heat treatment temperature at different locations along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube, II) exposing said metal rod or tube to said final heat treatment temperature for different time periods at different locations along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube; and/or III) cooling said metal rod or tube after subjecting said metal rod or tube to said final heat treatment temperature at different cooling rates at different locations along said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube.
  3. 34 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 33 , wherein said metal alloy includes at least 15 awt. % (atomic percent) rhenium.
  4. 35 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 33 , wherein said metal rod or tube has a constant cross-sectional shape and size along 80%-100% of said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube.
  5. 36 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 34 , wherein said metal rod or tube has a constant cross-sectional shape and size along 80%-100% of said longitudinal length of said metal rod or tube.
  6. 37 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 33 , wherein at least a portion of said metal rod or tube has not subjected to a quench process after subjecting said metal rod or tube to said final heat treatment temperature; a maximum temperature of said final heat treatment temperature is 500-1000° C.; said final heat treatment is for 0.5-25 hours.
  7. 38 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 36 , wherein at least a portion of said metal rod or tube has not subjected to a quench process after subjecting said metal rod or tube to said final heat treatment temperature; a maximum temperature of said final heat treatment temperature is 500-1000° C.; said final heat treatment is for 0.5-25 hours.
  8. 39 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 33 , wherein said metal rod or tube has been cooled a rate of less than 100° C./s after said metal rod or tube has been subjected to said final heat treatment process.
  9. 40 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 38 , wherein said metal rod or tube has been cooled a rate of less than 100° C./s after said metal rod or tube has been subjected to said final heat treatment process.
  10. 41 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 33 , wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of said metal rod or tube includes a marking to indicate a relatively degree of flexibility of said metal rod or tube.
  11. 42 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 40 , wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of said metal rod or tube includes a marking to indicate a relatively degree of flexibility of said metal rod or tube.
  12. 43 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 33 , wherein said metal alloy includes a) stainless steel that includes at least 15 awt. % (atomic percent) rhenium, b) cobalt-chromium alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, c) TiNi alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, d) TiAlV alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, e) Al alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, f) Ni alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, g) Ti alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, h) W alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, i) Cu alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, j) beryllium-copper alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, k) at least 30 wt. % of one or more of niobium, tantalum, titanium, cobalt, chromium, zirconium or tungsten; and further includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, l) at least 50 wt. % of one or more of niobium, tantalum, titanium, cobalt, chromium, zirconium or tungsten and further incudes 1-40 wt. % of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, and zirconium oxide; and further includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, m) at least 60 wt. % tungsten, and at least 15 awt. % rhenium, n) at least 60 wt. % tungsten, at least 15 awt. % rhenium, and at least 1 wt. % molybdenum, o) at least 50 wt. % rhenium, at least 20 wt. % chromium, and 0.1-80 wt. % of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, p) greater than 50 wt. % titanium, 15-45 wt. % niobium, 1-10 wt. % zirconium, and 1-15 wt. % tantalum, q) greater than 50 wt. % titanium, 15-45 wt. % niobium, and 1-10 wt. %, r) 30-60 wt. % cobalt, 10-30 wt. % chromium, 5-20 wt. % iron, 5-22 wt. % nickel, and 2-12 wt. % molybdenum, s) 40-60 wt. % zirconium, and 40-60 wt. % molybdenum, t) 90-99.5 wt. % niobium, and 0.5-10 wt. % zirconium, or u) 55-75 wt. % niobium, 18-40 wt. % tantalum, 1-7 wt. % tungsten, and 0.5-4 wt. % zirconium.
  13. 44 . The metal rod or tube as defined in claim 42 , wherein said metal alloy includes a) stainless steel that includes at least 15 awt. % (atomic percent) rhenium, b) cobalt-chromium alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, c) TiNi alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, d) TiAlV alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, e) Al alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, f) Ni alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, g) Ti alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, h) W alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, i) Cu alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, j) beryllium-copper alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, k) at least 30 wt. % of one or more of niobium, tantalum, titanium, cobalt, chromium, zirconium or tungsten; and further includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, l) at least 50 wt. % of one or more of niobium, tantalum, titanium, cobalt, chromium, zirconium or tungsten and further incudes 1-40 wt. % of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, and zirconium oxide; and further includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, m) at least 60 wt. % tungsten, and at least 15 awt. % rhenium, n) at least 60 wt. % tungsten, at least 15 awt. % rhenium, and at least 1 wt. % molybdenum, o) at least 50 wt. % rhenium, at least 20 wt. % chromium, and 0.1-80 wt. % of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, p) greater than 50 wt. % titanium, 15-45 wt. % niobium, 1-10 wt. % zirconium, and 1-15 wt. % tantalum, q) greater than 50 wt. % titanium, 15-45 wt. % niobium, and 1-10 wt. %, r) 30-60 wt. % cobalt, 10-30 wt. % chromium, 5-20 wt. % iron, 5-22 wt. % nickel, and 2-12 wt. % molybdenum, s) 40-60 wt. % zirconium, and 40-60 wt. % molybdenum, t) 90-99.5 wt. % niobium, and 0.5-10 wt. % zirconium, or u) 55-75 wt. % niobium, 18-40 wt. % tantalum, 1-7 wt. % tungsten, and 0.5-4 wt. % zirconium.
  14. 45 . A set of spinal surgery materials for use in a spinal surgery comprising: a. first and second support rods; each of said first and second support rods has a same cross-sectional shape and size along a longitudinal length of said first and second support rods; said first support rod has a flexibility, bendability, yield strength and/or ultimate tensile strength that is different from said second support rod due to said first support rod and second support rods being subjected to I) different processing times of a final heat treatment process, II) different final heat treatment temperatures during said final heat treatment process, and/or III) different cooling rates after said first and second support rods have been subjected to said final heat treatment temperature during said final heat treatment process; said first support rod includes a first rod visual marking; said second support rod includes a second rode visual marking; said first and second rod visual markings are different; and b. first and second bone screws; said first and second bone screws each include a threaded lower body portion and an upper portion that includes a rod securing arrangement; said body portion of each of said first and second bone screws is formed of the same material; said upper portion of each of said first and second bone screws is formed of the same material; said rod securing arrangement in said upper portion of each of said first and second bone screws includes a rod slot or rod opening that is the same shape and size; said rod slot or rod opening on each of said first and second bone screws is configured to receive a portion of one of said first or second support rods; said rod slot or rod opening on each of said first and second bone screws has a same shape and size.
  15. 46 . The set of spinal surgery materials as defined in claim 45 , wherein said body portion of said first bone screw has a different shape, size and/or longitudinal length from said second bone screw; said first bone screw includes a first screw visual marking; said second bone screw includes a second screw visual marking; said first and second screw visual markings are different.
  16. 47 . The set of spinal surgery materials as defined in claim 45 , wherein each of said first and second support rods is formed of a metal alloy; said metal alloy includes a) stainless steel that includes at least 15 awt. % (atomic percent) rhenium, b) cobalt-chromium alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, c) TiNi alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, d) TiAlV alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, e) Al alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, f) Ni alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, g) Ti alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, h) W alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, i) Cu alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, j) beryllium-copper alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, k) at least 30 wt. % of one or more of niobium, tantalum, titanium, cobalt, chromium, zirconium or tungsten; and further includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, l) at least 50 wt. % of one or more of niobium, tantalum, titanium, cobalt, chromium, zirconium or tungsten and further incudes 1-40 wt. % of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, and zirconium oxide; and further includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, m) at least 60 wt. % tungsten, and at least 15 awt. % rhenium, n) at least 60 wt. % tungsten, at least 15 awt. % rhenium, and at least 1 wt. % molybdenum, o) at least 50 wt. % rhenium, at least 20 wt. % chromium, and 0.1-80 wt. % of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, p) greater than 50 wt. % titanium, 15-45 wt. % niobium, 1-10 wt. % zirconium, and 1-15 wt. % tantalum, q) greater than 50 wt. % titanium, 15-45 wt. % niobium, and 1-10 wt. %, r) 30-60 wt. % cobalt, 10-30 wt. % chromium, 5-20 wt. % iron, 5-22 wt. % nickel, and 2-12 wt. % molybdenum, s) 40-60 wt. % zirconium, and 40-60 wt. % molybdenum, t) 90-99.5 wt. % niobium, and 0.5-10 wt. % zirconium, or u) 55-75 wt. % niobium, 18-40 wt. % tantalum, 1-7 wt. % tungsten, and 0.5-4 wt. % zirconium.
  17. 48 . A method for using a set of spinal surgery materials for use in a spinal surgery comprising: a. providing first and second support rods; each of said first and second support rods has a same cross-sectional shape and size along a longitudinal length of said first and second support rods; said first support rod has a flexibility that is different from said second support rod due to said first support rod and said second support rod being subjected to I) different processing times of a final heat treatment process, II) different final heat treatment temperatures during said final heat treatment process, and/or III) different cooling rates after said first and second support rods have been subjected to said final heat treatment temperature during said final heat treatment process; said first support rod includes a first rod visual marking; said second support rod includes a second rode visual marking; said first and second rod visual markings are different; b. providing first and second bone screws; said first and second bone screws each include a threaded lower body portion and an upper portion that includes a rod securing arrangement; said body portion of each of said first and second bone screws is formed of the same material; said upper portion of each of said first and second bone screws is formed of the same material; said rod securing arrangement in said upper portion of each of said first and second bone screws includes a rod slot or rod opening that is the same shape and size; said rod slot or rod opening on each of said first and second bone screws is configured to receive a portion of one of said first or second support rods; said rod slot or rod opening on each of said first and second bone screws has a same shape and size; c. inserting said first bone screw in a first bone in a vertebrae of a patient; d. inserting said second bone screw in a second bone in said vertebrae of the patient; e. determining a desired flexibility of a support device that is to be connected to said first and second bone screw; f. selecting either said first or second support rod to be at least partially used as said support device based on said flexibility of said first and second rods and said desired flexibility of said support device; difference in said flexibility of said first and second support rods is visually identifiable by a medical provider based on said first and second rod markings; and g. securing said selected first or second support rod to said rod securing arrangement on said first and second bone screws.
  18. 49 . The method as defined in claim 48 , wherein said body portion of said first bone screw has a different shape, size and/or longitudinal length from said second bone screw; said first bone screw includes a first screw visual marking; said second bone screw includes a second screw visual marking; said first and second screw visual markings are different; and further including the steps of i) determining a desired shape, size and/or longitudinal length of a screw for insertion into said first bone; ii) determining a desired shape, size and/or longitudinal length of a screw for insertion into said second bone, and iii) selecting either said first or second bone screw to be inserted into said first bone based on said determined desired shape, size and/or longitudinal length of a screw for insertion into said first bone, and thereafter inserting said selected first or second bone screw into said first bone; a difference in said shape, size and/or longitudinal length of said first and second bone screws is visually identifiable by a medical provider based on said first and second screw markings.
  19. 50 . The method as defined in claim 48 , wherein each of said first and second support rods is formed of a metal alloy; said metal alloy includes a) stainless steel that includes at least 15 awt. % (atomic percent) rhenium, b) cobalt-chromium alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, c) TiNi alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, d) TiAlV alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, e) Al alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, f) Ni alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, g) Ti alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, h) W alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, i) Cu alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, j) beryllium-copper alloy that includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, k) at least 30 wt. % of one or more of niobium, tantalum, titanium, cobalt, chromium, zirconium or tungsten; and further includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, l) at least 50 wt. % of one or more of niobium, tantalum, titanium, cobalt, chromium, zirconium or tungsten and further incudes 1-40 wt. % of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, and zirconium oxide; and further includes at least 15 awt. % rhenium, m) at least 60 wt. % tungsten, and at least 15 awt. % rhenium, n) at least 60 wt. % tungsten, at least 15 awt. % rhenium, and at least 1 wt. % molybdenum, o) at least 50 wt. % rhenium, at least 20 wt. % chromium, and 0.1-80 wt. % of one or more of aluminum, bismuth, calcium, carbon, cerium oxide, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, hafnium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, lead, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, osmium, platinum, rare earth metals, rhodium, ruthenium, silicon, silver, tantalum, technetium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, yttrium, yttrium oxide, zinc, zirconium, and zirconium oxide, p) greater than 50 wt. % titanium, 15-45 wt. % niobium, 1-10 wt. % zirconium, and 1-15 wt. % tantalum, q) greater than 50 wt. % titanium, 15-45 wt. % niobium, and 1-10 wt. %, r) 30-60 wt. % cobalt, 10-30 wt. % chromium, 5-20 wt. % iron, 5-22 wt. % nickel, and 2-12 wt. % molybdenum, s) 40-60 wt. % zirconium, and 40-60 wt. % molybdenum, t) 90-99.5 wt. % niobium, and 0.5-10 wt. % zirconium, or u) 55-75 wt. % niobium, 18-40 wt. % tantalum, 1-7 wt. % tungsten, and 0.5-4 wt. % zirconium.
  20. 51 . A method for forming a set of support rods or tubes that can be used in a surgical procedure comprising: a. forming first and second rods; each of said first and second rods having a same cross-sectional shape and size along a longitudinal length of said first and second rods; each of said first and second rods formed of a metal alloy; said metal alloy used to form said first and second rods is the same; b. subjecting said first metal rod or tube to a final heat treatment process to change a flexibility of said metal alloy, to change a bendability of said metal alloy, to change a yield strength of said metal alloy and/or to change an ultimate tensile strength of said metal alloy on said first metal rod or tube; c. subjecting said second metal rod or tube to a final heat treatment process to change a flexibility of said metal alloy, to change a bendability of said metal alloy, to change a yield strength of said metal alloy and/or to change an ultimate tensile strength of said metal alloy in said second metal rod or tube; d. cooling said first metal rod or tube after said final heat treatment process; e. cooling said second metal rod or tube after said final heat treatment process; f. applying a first rod visual marking to said first metal rod or tube; and g. applying a second rod visual marking to said second metal rod or tube; and wherein said first and second rod visual markings are different; and wherein said flexibility, bendability, yield strength and/or ultimate tensile strength of said first metal rod or tube is different from said second metal rod or tube due to said first metal rod or tube and second metal rods or tubes being subjected to a I) different processing times of a final heat treatment process, II) different final heat treatment temperatures during said final heat treatment process, and/or III) different cooling rates after said first and second support rods have been subjected to said final heat treatment temperature during said final heat treatment process.

Description

The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/222,237 filed Jul. 14, 2023, which in turn is continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/586,270 filed Jan. 27, 2022, which in turn claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/226,270 filed Jul. 28, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference. The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/222,237 filed Jul. 14, 2023, which in turn is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/116,677 filed Mar. 2, 2023, which in turn claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/316,077 filed Mar. 3, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference. The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/222,237 filed Jul. 14, 2023, which in turn is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/876,282 filed Jul. 28, 2022, which in turn claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/247,540 filed Sep. 23, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference. The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/222,237 filed Jul. 14, 2023, which in turn claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/389,267 filed Jul. 14, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference. The disclosure relates generally to heat treatment of metals, more particularly to the heat treatment of refractory metal alloys or metal alloys that include at least 15 atomic weight percent (awt. %) rhenium, still more particularly to the heat treatment of refractory metal alloys or metal alloys that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium wherein the heat treated of the refractory metal alloys or the metal alloy that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium is to be used to partially or fully for a medical device, and yet more particularly to the heat treatment of refractory metal alloys or metal alloys that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium to produce a variable yield strength and/or ultimate tensile strength along the longitudinal length of the metal alloy and wherein the heat treated of the refractory metal alloy or metal alloy that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium is to be used to partially or fully for a medical device. BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE Stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloys, and TiAlV alloys are some of the more common metal alloys used for medical devices. Although these alloys have been successful in forming a variety of medical devices, these alloys have several deficiencies. Refractory metal alloys and metal alloys that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium have been found to overcome many of these deficiencies. Refractory metal alloys and metal alloys that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium can be harder and stronger that other metal alloys. In some applications such as medical application for spinal surgery, the medical device such as a spinal rod that is formed of the metal alloy needs to have a certain degree of flexibility or bendability. To increase the flexibility or bendability of metal alloy rods, the rod is commonly ground to reduce the cross-sectional area of the rod to thereby make the rod more flexibly. As such, different sized rods are provided to surgeon during a spinal procedure. However, the issue with the use of rods of differing diameter is that different screws are commonly required for the different sized rods, which can complicate the surgery by having to keep track of the rods used in a medical procedure and can also potentially lead to the use of incorrect screws during a procedure. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure relates generally to heat treatment of metals, more particularly to the heat treatment of refractory metal alloys or metal alloys that include at least 15 atomic weight percent (awt. %) rhenium, still more particularly to the heat treatment of refractory metal alloys or metal alloys that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium wherein the heat treated of the refractory metal alloys or the metal alloy that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium is to be used to partially or fully for a medical device, and yet more particularly to the heat treatment of refractory metal alloys or metal alloys that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium to produce a variable yield strength and/or ultimate tensile strength along the longitudinal length of the metal alloy and wherein the heat treated of the refractory metal alloy or metal alloy that include at least 15 awt. % rhenium is to be used to partially or fully for a medical device. As defined herein, a refractory metal alloy is a metal alloy that includes at least 20 wt. % of one or more of molybdenum, rhenium, niobium, tantalum or tungsten. Non-limiting refractory metal alloys include MoRe alloy, ReW alloy, MoReCr alloy, MoReTa alloy, MoReTi alloy, WCu alloy, ReCr, molybdenum alloy, rhenium alloy, tungsten alloy, tantalum alloy, niobium alloy, etc. In accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure