Bearing material of medical implant and methods for making it
AssigneeDePuy Products, Inc.
InventorsRichard S. King, Craig Ernsberger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a bearing material of a medical implant, which is an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite. The composite comprises, for example, UHMWPE and a polyethylene copolymer having a polymer backbone and pendant hydrophilic groups or pendant surface active agents that are attached to the polymer backbone. Also disclosed are methods for preparing bearing materials. The bearing material has one or more advantageous properties including reduced immune response, reduced wear, and/or increased lubrication.
Claims26
A bearing material of a medical implant comprising a composite of an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a polyethylene copolymer having a polymer backbone and pendant hydrophilic groups that are attached to the polymer backbone, wherein the bearing material is adopted for articulating against a hard counterface of the medical implant.
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A process for producing a bearing material of a medical implant comprising a composite of an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a block copolymer having a polymer backbone and pendant hydrophilic groups attached to the polymer backbone, the process comprising:
- (i) compression molding a mixture comprising an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a block copolymer comprising polyethylene segments and hydrophilic segments having hydrophilic pendant groups to obtain a molded product;
- and
- (ii) optionally machining the molded product to obtain the bearing material.
A process for producing a bearing material of a medical implant comprising a composite of an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a block copolymer having a polymer backbone and pendant hydrophilic groups attached to the polymer backbone, the process comprising:
- (i) compression molding an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder to obtain a consolidated UHMWPE material;
- (ii) compressing, in contact with the consolidated UHMWPE material, a block copolymer comprising polyethylene segments and hydrophilic segments having reactive hydrophilic pendant groups to obtain a molded product;
- and
- (iii) optionally machining the compression molded product to obtain the bearing material.
A process for producing a bearing material of a medical implant comprising a composite of an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a block copolymer having a polymer backbone and pendant hydrophilic groups attached to the polymer backbone, the process comprising:
- (i) providing a consolidated UHMWPE material;
- and
- (ii) compressing, in contact with the consolidated UHMWPE material, a block copolymer comprising polyethylene segments and hydrophilic segments having reactive hydrophilic pendant groups to obtain a molded product;
- and
- (iii) optionally machining the compression molded product to obtain the bearing material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.