Selective crosslinking of orthopaedic implants
AssigneeZimmer Technology, Inc.
InventorBrion Mimnaugh
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Abstract
A method and starting material are presented for producing property enhancing crosslinking at selected locations within an orthopaedic implant.
Claims12
A method of forming an orthopaedic implant comprising the steps of:
- forming a polymer blank having the general shape of the implant, a portion of the blank being extended to shield the underlying polymer;
- irradiating the blank to crosslink the polymer, the extended portion shielding the underlying polymer from the crosslinking irradiation;
- and
- removing the extended portion from the irradiated blank.
A polymer blank for providing the base material from which a tibial knee bearing is formed, the tibial knee bearing including condylar articular regions for articular engagement with a femoral component and a tibial eminence, the blank being subject to crosslinking radiation having a predetermined penetration depth along an irradiation axis prior to forming the implant, the blank comprising:
- a first part corresponding to the condylar articular regions of the implant, the first part having a first portion sized to accommodate formation of the condylar articular regions and a second portion overlying the first portion, the second portion having a thickness along the irradiation axis;
- and
- a second part, continuous with the first part, the second part having a third portion sized to accommodate formation of the tibial eminence and a fourth portion overlying the third portion, the fourth portion having a thickness along the irradiation axis greater than the thickness of the second portion.
A polymer blank for a prosthetic tibial knee bearing, comprising:
- a condylar articular region having a first portion and a second portion overlying the first portion, the second portion having a thickness that is less than the penetration depth of crosslinking radiation;
- and
- a tibial eminence continuous with the condylar articular region, having a third portion and a fourth portion overlying the third portion, the fourth portion having a thickness that is greater than the penetration depth of crosslinking radiation, the thickness of the fourth portion being greater than the thickness of the second portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.