Apparatus and method for selectively treating a surface of a component

Abstract

An anodising apparatus for selectively anodizing at least a portion of a surface of a component can include a conformable wicking element configured to absorb a fluid, the conformable wicking element being conformable to at least the portion of the surface of the component, wherein, upon bringing the component into contact with the conformable wicking element, the fluid completes an electric circuit between the component and a conductive element, the anodising apparatus being configured to grow an anodised layer on the portion of the surface of the component that is in contact with the conformable wicking element when an electric current is supplied to the electric circuit between the conductive element and the component.

1 . An anodising apparatus for selectively anodizing at least a portion of a surface of a component, the anodising apparatus comprising:
 a conformable wicking element configured to absorb a fluid, the conformable wicking element being conformable to at least the said portion of the surface of the component,   wherein, upon bringing the component into contact with the conformable wicking element, the fluid completes an electric circuit between the component and a conductive element,   the anodising apparatus being configured to grow an anodised layer on the said portion of the surface of the component that is in contact with the conformable wicking element when an electric current is supplied to the electric circuit between the conductive element and the component.   
     
     
         2 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is exposed only to the said portion of the surface of the component upon bringing the component into contact with the conformable wicking element. 
     
     
         3 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conformable wicking element is configured to draw the fluid from a reservoir of fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the conformable wicking element is at least partially submerged in the fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conformable wicking element comprises a sheet of porous material. 
     
     
         6 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conformable wicking element is in contact with the conductive element and the said portion of the surface of the component. 
     
     
         7 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conformable wicking element is configured to at least partially cover one or more surfaces of the conductive element. 
     
     
         8 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conformable wicking element is at least partially disposed in between the component and the conductive element. 
     
     
         9 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conformable wicking element is conformable to at least a portion of a surface of the conductive element. 
     
     
         10 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element comprises a planar surface at least partially in contact with the conformable wicking element. 
     
     
         11 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the conductive element is configured to support the conformable wicking element. 
     
     
         12 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element comprises a metallic plate. 
     
     
         13 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element comprises one or more grooves running at least partially across a surface of the conductive element, the grooves being configured to allow the fluid to flow across the said surface of the conductive element. 
     
     
         14 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the grooves extend at least partially across the surface of the conductive element from the periphery of the conductive element. 
     
     
         15 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the grooves form a grid pattern on the surface of the conductive element. 
     
     
         16 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the grooves are configured to drain fluid away from the conformable wicking element. 
     
     
         17 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element comprises a porous conductive material configured to absorb the fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element comprises a first layer of a non-porous conductive material and a second layer of porous conductive material configured to absorb the fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second wicking element configured to absorb the fluid, the second wicking element being in contact with the conformable wicking element, the conformable wicking element being configured to draw the fluid from the second wicking element. 
     
     
         20 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element forms a cathode of the anodising apparatus, and wherein the component forms an anode of the anodising apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rotational drive configured to rotate the component. 
     
     
         22 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a vibrating device configured to vibrate the component. 
     
     
         23 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a loading device configured to adjust the contact pressure between the component and the conformable wicking element. 
     
     
         24 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a prosthesis. 
     
     
         25 . The anodising apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises an electrolyte fluid.