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.
Claims20
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 or pendant surface active agents that are attached to the polymer backbone, wherein the bearing material is adopted for articulating against a hard counterface of the medical implant, wherein the polyethylene copolymer is poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate).
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 or pendant surface active agents that are attached to the polymer backbone, wherein the bearing material is adopted for articulating against a hard counterface of the medical implant produced by a process comprising:
- (i) compression molding a mixture comprising an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a polyethylene copolymer which is poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) and a surface active agent having a hydrophilic group to obtain a molded product;
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- (ii) machining the molded product to obtain the bearing material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.