# US 2014/0197571 A1 · Prevention of fretting crevice corrosion of modular taper interfaces in orthopedic implants

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- Number: US 2014/0197571 A1
- Document ID: US20140197571A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/072,296
- Filed: 2013-11-05
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-05
- Assignees: Syracuse University
- Inventors: Jeremy Gilbert
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197571A1

## CPC

- A61L 27/34: Macromolecular materials
- A61L 27/50: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials}
- A61L 2420/04: Coatings containing a composite material such as inorganic/organic, i.e. material comprising different phases
- A61L 2430/02: for reconstruction of bones; weight-bearing implants
- A61L 2430/24: for joint reconstruction
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

## Abstract

A thin high strength polymer based self-reinforced composite (SRC) made from a biocompatible and commonly used orthopedic implant material is interposed between the hard connections of the modular taper interface of an orthopedic implant. A thick film of this ultra high strength SRC with the fibers oriented to maximally resist the fretting motion and wear, can be interposed between the modular components to result in a relatively soft, non-conducting interposed layer that will prevent contact between hard interfaces and reduce or eliminate the oxide film abrasion associated with this mechanism. Alternatively, the SRC may be formed using surface control methods resist fretting, such as by using sticky-compliant surfaces and channels for fluid, among others.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A coating for reducing fretting corrosion in an orthopedic implant, comprising at least one layer of a self-reinforced composite polymer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The coating of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer of a self-reinforced composite polymer comprises a unidirectional continuous fiber of said polymer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The coating of claim 2, wherein said at least one layer has an overall thickness of between 10 and 200 μm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The coating of claim 3, wherein said self-reinforced composite polymer comprises poly ether-ether ketone.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The coating of claim 3, wherein said self-reinforced composite polymer comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

### Claim 6

A method of reducing fretting corrosion, comprising the steps of:
providing an orthopedic implant having a junction between first and second components; and
applying a coating comprising at least one layer of a self-reinforced composite polymer to at least one of said components.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The coating of claim 6, wherein said at least one layer of a self-reinforced composite polymer comprises a unidirectional continuous fiber of said polymer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The coating of claim 7, wherein said at least one layer has an overall thickness of between 10 and 200 μm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The coating of claim 8, wherein said self-reinforced composite polymer comprises poly ether-ether ketone.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The coating of claim 8, wherein said self-reinforced composite polymer comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

### Claim 11

A method of manufacturing an orthopedic implant having reduced fretting corrosion, comprising the steps of:
melt spinning a polymer to produce a polymer fiber having a predetermined diameter;
arranging the fiber in a mold in a unidirectional fashion to provide a fiber film having a predetermined thickness;
hot pressing the fiber film in the mold to fuse the fibers into a self-reinforced polymer film; and
affixing the self-reinforced polymer film to at least one component of a junction in a modular orthopedic implant.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein said predetermined diameter and said predetermined thickness of said fiber film are selected so that said resulting self-reinforced polymer film has an overall thickness of between 10 and 200 μm.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The coating of claim 12, wherein said polymer comprises poly ether-ether ketone.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The coating of claim 12, wherein said polymer comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.