Method of sterilizing an orthopaedic implant
AssigneeSmith & Nephew, Inc.
InventorsRichard D. Lambert, Terry W. McLean, David B. Vogel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.
Claims18
A method of sterilizing an orthopaedic implant comprising the step of subjecting the orthopaedic implant to a sterilization gas when the orthopaedic implant is in a pre-assembled condition, wherein the pre-assembled condition comprises:
- a first orthopaedic implant that has been press-fitted into a second orthopaedic implant such that the first orthopaedic implant is seated in the second orthopaedic implant so that a first mating surface of the first orthopaedic implant confronts a second mating surface of the second orthopaedic implant to define a mating surface interface;
- wherein at least one of the first and second orthopaedic implants comprises an articular surface opposite the mating surface of the at least one first and second orthopaedic implant;
- wherein at least one of the first and second mating surfaces comprises a plurality of gas channels formed therein;
- and wherein at least some of the plurality of gas channels intersect proximate an apex of the at least one of the first and second mating surfaces.
A method of sterilizing an orthopaedic implant, comprising the step of subjecting the orthopaedic implant to a sterilization gas when the orthopaedic implant is in a pre-assembled condition, wherein the pre-assembled condition comprises:
- a first orthopaedic implant that has been assembled to a second orthopaedic implant such that a first mating surface of the first orthopaedic implant confronts a second mating surface of the second orthopaedic implant to define a mating surface interface;
- wherein the first orthopaedic implant includes an articular surface opposite the first mating surface;
- wherein the first mating surface includes a gas plurality of channels formed therein that extends along the mating surface interface;
- and wherein at least some of the plurality of gas channels formed in the first mating surface intersect proximate an apex of the first mating surface.
A method of sterilizing an orthopaedic implant, comprising the step of subjecting the orthopaedic implant to a sterilization gas when the orthopaedic implant is in a pre-assembled condition, wherein the pre-assembled condition comprises:
- a first orthopaedic implant that has been press-fitted into a second orthopaedic implant such that a substantially hemispherical first mating surface of the first orthopaedic implant confronts a substantially hemispherical second mating surface of the second orthopaedic implant to define a substantially hemispherical mating surface interface;
- wherein the first orthopaedic implant includes an articular surface opposite the first mating surface;
- and
- wherein at least one of the first and second mating surfaces includes a plurality of gas channels formed therein that extend along the mating surface interface, wherein at least some of the gas channels intersect proximate an apex of the substantially hemispherical mating surface interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.