Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics, Inc.

Smith + Nephew

Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Professional, Inc.

John V Hamilton

Salvatore Caldarise

Debra J Treacy

Nelson L Scarborough

Ralph I McNall, Iii

Steven Lepke

Andy Uchida

Mark A Manasas

Timothy M Flynn

Mary Beth Schmidt

Peter A Weissman

Keith Greer

A fluid introduction system includes an introducer configured to create a pressure of at least 69 kPa within a spine, and an operator configured to actuate the introducer to introduce fluid into the spine according to a predetermined fluid introduction profile. The system can include a computer readable medium having code for receiving fluid introduction data indicative of a fluid introduction parameter, and for receiving response data indicative of a response of the patient at a time related to a time of the fluid introduction data. A method for introducing fluid includes positioning a first introducer in a first portion of a spine, positioning a second introducer in a second, different portion of the spine and, without removing the first and second introducers, introducing fluid into the first portion of the spine with the first introducer and introducing fluid into the second portion of the spine with the second introducer.

Spinal fluid introduction

Wear resistance and oxidation resistance of polymer material or a polymer component for bioimplantation are improved by packaging a polymer object in a sealed gas impermeable package substantially free of oxygen, irradiating the package with penetrating radiation to an extent sufficient to effect a desired substantial level of cross-linking within the polymer, and warming the packaged object while maintaining an elevated hydrostatic pressure to cause gases released during irradiation to recombine, stabilizing the material against subsequent oxidative change. The pressure stabilization terminates active sites, substantially eliminating free radicals. When applied to finished parts, the process simultaneously hardens and sterilizes the parts without degrading mechanical properties or dimensions. When applied to bulk material or unfinished parts, the part may be subsequent machined or otherwise finished, and sterilized by any conventional means. The procedure achieves high levels of cross linking without increasing susceptibility to aging or chemical degradation.

Low temperature pressure stabilization of implant component

Wear resistance and oxidation resistance of bioimplantable polymeric parts is improved by packaging the parts within flexible, gas impermeable containers while subjecting the containers and the parts to a relatively high vacuum force. The containers are heat sealed while subjected to the vacuum force such that, upon sealing, hydrostatic pressure is exerted on the part. Following sealing of the packages, the packages and their contents are irradiated to an extent sufficient to sterilize the parts and to promote crosslinking within the part. Alternatively, the same property enhancements can be imparted to polymeric parts by packaging the part within rigid or flexible containers, minimizing the oxygen content within the containers, pressurizing the containers with an inert gas, or with a mixture of hydrogen and an inert gas, to greater than 1.5 atmospheres, and irradiating the part and the container.

Method for improving wear resistance of polymeric bioimplantable

A process for making a composite stem for a prosthesis by providing a tapered metal core with a predetermined cross section and a composite shell having a tapered cavity having a cross sectional configuration to receive the metal core. Adhesive is applied to the metal core and the core is placed in the cavity and pressure is applied along the axis of the metal core toward the smaller end of the core to force the core against the composite shell and heat is applied with the pressure to bond the composite shell to the metal core.

Composite prosthesis and method of manufacture

A composite stem for a prosthesis, particularly a hip prosthesis, including a metal core and a fiber reinforced composite shell surrounding the core to provide modulus values that are similar to bone. The composite shell is preferably composed of braided fibers and a thermoplastic resin. The stiffness of the prosthesis can be varied along the length of the stem. The metal core contributing between 5 and 25 percent of the total flexural stiffness of the stem.

Composite prosthesis

Growing community of inventors

Foxborough, MA, United States of America

John V Hamilton