Zimmer Gmbh

Bristol-myers Squibb Compnay

Alfred University

Steve T Lin

Steve Krebs

Clarence M Panchison

Thirumalai N Devanathan

James J Morr

Deva Devanathan

Dale Frederick Swarts

William L Rohr, Jr

Richard S King

Steven L Krebs

Michael E Hawkins

Dirk Pletcher

Jack E Parr

William C LaCourse

Howard C Price

Paul D Schoenle

Mike Hawkins

Thirukumar Vethanyagam

A method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for use in an orthopaedic implant is disclosed. A block of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is irradiated with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink at least a portion of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The irradiated block is placed within a reforming apparatus having a complimentary articulating bearing surface. The block is heated and pressed against the complimentary articulating bearing surface, thereby forming the articulating bearing surface.

Process of making an articulating bearing surface

A biodegradable device for repairing torn meniscal cartilage comprising a shaft and tissue gripping means at both ends. One end is adapted to pierce the tissue and the opposite end is adapted to fit a driver. The central portion of the device is essentially smooth along its length. The device has been subjected to a drawing operation after fabrication leaving the molecules in the shaft in a higher state of residual stress. When the device is exposed to an aqueous environment, the water absorbed by the polymer lowers the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Lowering glass transition temperature allows increased molecular mobility causing the device to contract. The contraction pulls the torn tissues into close apposition during healing. As the tissue heals, the tension is released by the polymer resorbing.

Tissue repair device

The invention is directed to a method of making an orthopaedic implant. An orthopaedic implant body is formed which has a supporting surface. A porous metal pad is formed to fit the supporting surface of the body. The porous metal pad is clamped and/or adhesively bonded to the supporting surface. A laser beam is coupled between the porous metal pad and the implant body at a plurality of locations so as to form a coalescence of metal between the porous metal pad and the body.

Orthopedic implant having a porous metal pad

The present invention is directed to an acetabular cup prosthesis for implantation into a pelvic bone. A cup having a cavity for receiving a femoral head is formed of a polymeric material having a predetermined tensile strength. A backing is disposed about and attached to the polymeric cup. The backing has a porous construction defining interstitial pores, with the pores being sized to receive a portion of the polymeric cup therein and adapted for allowing ingrowth of the bone therein. The portion of the polymeric cup received within the pores results in an interface strength between the polymeric cup and the backing which is substantially equal to the tensile strength of the polymeric material.

Acetabular cup

An orthopaedic implant body is formed which has a supporting surface. A porous metal pad is formed to fit the supporting surface of the body. The porous metal pad is clamped and/or adhesively bonded to the supporting surface. A laser beam is coupled between the porous metal pad and the implant body at a plurality of locations so as to form a coalescence of metal between the porous metal pad and the body.

Method of making an orthopaedic implant having a porous metal pad

This invention solves the above identified limitation by providing a prosthetic implant having a porous surface layer metallurgically bonded to the implant body, wherein a barrier film of metal is positioned between a portion of the porous surface layer and the implant body at areas of stress. By preventing bonding and thereby the formation of notches at strategic locations about the implant, the overall fatigue strength of the implant may be increased. In the preferred embodiment, the film of metal is formed from molybdenum which has a higher melting temperature than titanium which is commonly used for porous layers and the implant body. By preventing notches at strategically significant areas about the implant, designers of prosthetic implants are less limited in the amount or location of the porous surface layer to be metallurgically bonded to the implant.

Prosthetic implant and method of making same

A method of forming an orthopaedic implant having a porous surface, the method including the steps of providing a porous surface including a porous layer attached to a substantially solid layer; positioning the porous layer on the orthopaedic implant; providing a high energy density welding device capable of producing a high energy density weld beam; and forming a weld bead substantially about the periphery of the porous layer by directing the high energy density weld beam about the periphery of the porous layer, wherein the weld bead bonds the porous layer to the implant. Two shaped porous pads may also be welded together about an implant body to avoid welding the body itself.

Method of making orthopaedic implant by welding

An articular component has a fibrous structure wherein the fibers are oriented normal to the articular surface. Wear debris reduction is attributed to the increased strength of fibers over bulk material and to the abrasion resistance associated with abrading a fiber bundle on the fiber tips. This is similar to the abrasion resistance seen in a household broom which is subjected to abrasion across the tips of the broom bristles. Reduced cold flow is attributed to the increased strength and stiffness of fibers over bulk material.

Reinforced polyethylene for articular surfaces

A provisional instrument component 1 for evaluating the fit of a corresponding orthopaedic implant. The component 1 is intended and designed to be a disposable, single use provisional instrument component. The provisional instrument component 1 is made of a material which can be sterilized by gamma irradiation, but which provides a visible indicator, such as visible deformation 10, upon resterilization by exposure to a heated environment, thereby discouraging or preventing re-use of the component 1.

Disposable provisional instrument component for evaluating the fit of an

A bone cement composition has adjustable rheological properties, high strength, and produces a uniform radiological image. The cement is characterized by controlled retention and release of additives incorporated in beads included in the dry component of the cement. The cement comprises beads containing a polymerization initiator in controllable concentrations from 0% to 5% or more by weight. These same beads or others may also contain an opacifier. The polymerization initiator and the opacifier may be selectively distributed throughout the beads or at specific radial locations in the beads. They may also be selectively placed in beads of a particular advantageous size range. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the invention, other advantageous additives can be incorporated in the beads such as dyes, antibiotics, bone growth factors, and other pharmacological or therapeutic agents.

Bone cement composition

A method of forming an orthopaedic implant having a porous surface, the method including the steps of providing a porous surface including a porous layer attached to a substantially solid layer; positioning the porous layer on the orthopaedic implant; providing a high energy density welding device capable of producing a high energy density weld beam; and forming a weld bead substantially about the periphery of the porous layer by directing the high energy density weld beam about the periphery of the porous layer, wherein the weld bead bonds the porous layer to the implant.

Orthopaedic implant and method of making same

A bone cement composition has adjustable rheological properties, high strength, and produces a uniform radiological image. The cement comprises beads containing a polymerization initiator in controllable concentrations from 0% to 5% or more by weight. These same beads or others may also contain an opacifier. The polymerization initiator and the opacifier may be selectively distributed throughout the beads or at specific radial locations in the beads or within the beads in specific strata. They may also be selectively placed in beads of a particular advantageous size range. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the invention, other advantageous additives can be incorporated in the beads such as dyes, antibiotics, bone growth factors, and other pharmacological or therapeutic agents.

Bone cement composition and method of manufacture

The method and material of this invention eliminates the necessity of removing imbedded particles remaining after shot blasting by providing a method for surface finishing an orthopaedic implant wherein the blasting medium is bioactive. The surface finishing with bioactive material may also be used to clean the porous surface after sintering or diffusion bonding. Since the particles are made from bioactive material, it is not a concern if particles remain in the porous surface after blasting.

Method of surface finishing orthopaedic implant devices using a

A process for preparing an improved durable glass composition is described. In the first step of the process, a glass batch containing from 40 to 80 mole percent of phosphorous and from 3 to 40 mole percent of iron is provided. In the second step of the process, the glass batch is melted under an enriched oxygen atmosphere.

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Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Steve T Lin