Abstract:
Oxidation resistant crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is described, wherein at least two different additives in the manufacture synergistically increase the oxidation resistance of crosslinked UHMWPE. This allows the manufacture of oxidation resistant crosslinked UHMWPE using lower levels of additives and/or lower levels of crosslinking irradiation or chemicals. The lower levels of additives and/or crosslinking produce crosslinked UHMWPE having desired physical properties not possible without the synergistic interaction of the additives. This crosslinked UHMWPE may be used in medical prostheses such as in bearing components having desired physical properties such as wear resistance and oxidation resistance not possible without the synergistic interaction of the additives.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a coating comprising a bioactive material and an antimicrobial agent, wherein the concentration of said antimicrobial agent varies throughout the thickness of the coating.
Abstract:
A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the oxidative treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a coating for a medical implant, wherein at least a part of said coating contains an osseointegration agent and the same and/or a different part of the coating contains an antimicrobial metal agent.
Abstract:
A medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant includes: a first biocompatible metal forming a substrate (210, 310, 410), a second biocompatible metal diffused into the first biocompatible metal to form an biocompatible alloy surface (220, 314, 414), the alloy surface further including a diffusion hardening species, wherein the diffusion hardening species may be carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, boron, or any combination thereof. A method of forming a medical implant is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a first biocompatible metal or alloy that forms a substrate (210, 310, 410), providing a second biocompatible metal or alloy, diffusing the second biocompatible metal into the first biocompatible metal to form an alloy layer (220, 314, 414), removing excess second metal material from the substrate to expose the alloy layer, and diffusion hardening the alloy layer.
Abstract:
A prosthetic device may comprise an insert having a first surface configured to contact a first prosthetic component and a bearing surface configured to articulate against a second prosthetic component. The insert comprises an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and vitamin E. The vitamin E may have a concentration in the range of.02 to.12 wt% first mixed with the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and then molded with the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene at a temperature greater than the melting point of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and vitamin E may be gamma irradiated with a dosage of radiation between 5 and 20 Mrad. The insert may be machined prior to gamma irradiating the insert in air such that the gamma irradiation, at suitably high dosages, may also sterilize the insert.
Abstract:
A device, for example a medical implant, and a method of making the same, the device having a metal or metal alloy substrate, for example CoCr, and a diffusion hardened metallic surface, for example a plasma carburized surface, contacting a non-diffusion hardened surface or a diffusion hardened surface having a diffusion hardening species different from that of the opposing surface.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a new composition and medical implant made therefrom, the composition comprising a thick diffusion hardened zone, and preferably further comprising a ceramic layer. The present invention relates to orthopedic implants comprising the new composition, methods of making the new composition, and methods of making orthopedic implants comprising the new composition.
Abstract:
A medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant includes: a first biocompatible metal forming a substrate (210, 310, 410), a second biocompatible metal diffused into the first biocompatible metal to form an biocompatible alloy surface (220, 314, 414), the alloy surface further including a diffusion hardening species, wherein the diffusion hardening species may be carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, boron, or any combination thereof. A method of forming a medical implant is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a first biocompatible metal or alloy that forms a substrate (210, 310, 410), providing a second biocompatible metal or alloy, diffusing the second biocompatible metal into the first biocompatible metal to form an alloy layer (220, 314, 414), removing excess second metal material from the substrate to expose the alloy layer, and diffusion hardening the alloy layer.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an orthopaedic implant made of a ceramic metal composite. The composite (28, 48, 54) includes one phase that is a biocompatible metal or metal alloy and a second phase of ceramic particles examples of which include carbides, nitrides and/or oxides. In some embodiments, the implant comprises a homogeneous ceramic layer (24) as part of a multilayered composition. In some embodiments, the multilayered composition comprises a homogeneous metal layer (32).