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Cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene for medical implant use

  • US 6,726,727 B2
  • Filed: 10/16/2002
  • Issued: 04/27/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of producing an UHMWPE medical implant for use in a body comprising the steps of:

  • crosslinking the UHMWPE;

    annealing the UHMWPE;

    machining the UHMWPE to form said implant;

    wear testing the implant;

    analyzing wear particles created by said step of wear testing, said step of analyzing having sufficient sensitivity to detect particles having sizes of 0.05 μ

    m or less;

    determining the number of particulate debris; and

    selecting a crosslinking irradiation dose that exhibits the lowest number of particulate debris relative to that exhibited by non-crosslinked UHMWPE treated by all of the above steps except said crosslinking step and said selecting step, and wherein the wear particles are decreased to a particle number of less than that exhibited by non-crosslinked UHMWPE treated by all of the above steps except said crosslinking step and said selecting step.

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