Radiation and melt treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene prosthetic devices
AssigneesThe General Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsEdward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
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Abstract
A medical prosthesis for use within a body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radial. Preferred prosthesis exhibits reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacturing wear resistant medical prosthesis and materials used therein are also provided.
Claims13
A medical prosthesis for use within a body, said prosthesis being formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having cross-links and multiple melting peaks, wherein the multiple melting peaks are a result of irradiation-generated heat, thereby reducing crystallinity of the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, and wherein the polyethylene has a tensile elastic modulus of less than about 1 GPa.
Radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having multiple melting peaks and cross-links, wherein the multiple melting peaks are a result of irradiation-generated heat, thereby reducing crystallinity of the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, and wherein the polyethylene has a tensile elastic modulus of less than about 1 GPa.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.