Melt-irradiated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene prosthetic devices
AssigneesMassachusetts Institute of Technology, The General Hospital Corporation
InventorsEdward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Premnath Venugopalan, Murali Jasty, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor
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Abstract
A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene which has a polymeric structure with less than about 50% crystallinity, less than about 290 .ANG. lamellar thickness and less than about 940 MPa tensile elastic modulus, so as to reduce production of fine particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, is described. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
Claims20
A medical prosthesis for use within a body,
- said prosthesis being formed of cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having a polymeric structure with less than about 50% crystallinity, less than about 290 .ANG. lamellar thickness and less than about 940 MPa tensile elastic modulus, so as to reduce production of fine particles from said-prosthesis during wear of said prosthesis.
Cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having a polymeric structure characterized by less than about 50% crystallinity, less than about 290 .ANG. lamellar thickness and less than about 940 MPa tensile elastic modulus.
A fabricated article formed of cross-linked ultra high molecular weight poplyethylene having a polymeric structure with less than about 50% crystallinity, less than about 290 .ANG. lamellar thickness and less than about 940 MPa tensile elastic modulus.
A method of making a prosthesis from cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene so as to reduce production of fine particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, comprising the steps of:
- providing cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having a polymeric structure with less than about 50% crystallinity, less than about 290 .ANG. lamellar thickness and less than about 940 MPa tensile elastic modulus;
- and
- forming a prosthesis from said ultra high molecular weight polyethylene so as to reduce production of fine particles from said prosthesis during wear of said prosthesis,
- said ultra high molecular weight polyethylene forming a load bearing surface of said prosthesis.
A method of treating a body in need of a prosthesis, comprising:
- providing a shaped prosthesis formed of cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having a polymeric structure with less than about 50% crystallinity, less than about 290 .ANG. lamellar thickness and less than about 940 MPa tensile elastic modulus;
- and
- applying said prosthesis to said body in need of said prosthesis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.