Depuy Products, Inc.

Torque-traction Technologies, Inc.

Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

Deput Products, Inc.

Todd Smith

Richard S King

Donald E McNulty

Panjian Li

Mark D Hanes

Xiaofan Yang

Mark Alan Heldreth

Robert E Richard

Albert H Burstein

Hai Bo Wen

Rama Rao V Gundlapalli

Ben J Passino

Michael J Catalano

Ken E Cooper

A joint prosthesis has a first component for cooperation with a first long bone, a second component for cooperation with a second long bone, and a bearing component positionable between the first component and the second component. The bearing component includes a reinforcing component and a polymeric material completely encapsulating the reinforcing component and molded thereto. The bearing component may be sterilized by a predominately surface sterilizing technology.

Prosthetic bearing with encapsulated reinforcement

Compositions and methods are provided for preparing a metal substrate having a uniform textured surface with a plurality of indentations with a diameter in the nanometer and micrometer range. The textured surface is produced by exposing the substrate to an etching fluid comprising a hydrogen halide acid and/or an oxyacid, a chloride containing compound, and an oxidizing agent. The etching solution can be used at ambient temperature without damaging the metal elements on the substrate surface. This textured surface enhances adherence of coatings or cells onto the textured surface, improves the retention of proteins on the surface, and encourages bone in-growth.

Implants with textured surface and methods for producing the same

An orthopaedic bearing includes a metallic component having a polymer composite secured thereto. A method of making an orthopaedic bearing is also disclosed.

Orthopaedic bearing and method for making the same

An method of making an orthopaedic bearing includes securing polymer composite to a metallic component. An orthopaedic bearing is also disclosed.

Method of making an implantable orthopaedic bearing

An orthopaedic bearing includes a ceramic component having a polymer composite secured thereto. A method of making an orthopaedic bearing is also disclosed.

An implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of a composite material having a first layer and second layer. The first layer has an articulating surface defined therein, whereas the second layer has a engaging surface defined therein for engaging either another prosthetic component or the bone itself The first layer of the implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of crosslinked polymer such as Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, whereas the second layer of the implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of polymer such as Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene that is either non-crosslinked or crosslinked to a lesser degree than the first layer. In such a manner, the first layer possesses mechanical properties which are advantageous in regard to the articulating surface (e.g., enhanced wear and oxidation resistance), whereas the second layer possesses mechanical properties which are advantageous in regard to the engaging surface (e.g., high ductility, toughness, and creep resistance). A method of making a prosthetic bearing is also disclosed.

Composite prosthetic bearing having a crosslinked articulating surface and method for making the same

The invention provides a method of providing a metallic orthopaedic implant with a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness to facilitate acceptance of tissue and bone growth or apposition after implantation while maintaining the structural integrity of the orthopaedic implant. The invention also provides a metallic orthopaedic implant comprising a metallic body and metallic elements adhered to a portion of the surface of the metallic body to define a three-dimensional porous surface geometry, wherein at least some of the metallic elements have a micron or nanometer-scale surface roughness.

Methods for producing metallic implants having roughened surfaces

Compositions and methods are provided for preparing a metal substrate having a uniform textured surface with a plurality of indentations with a diameter in the nanometer and micrometer range. The textured surface is produced by exposing the substrate to an etching fluid comprising a hydrohalic acid and a mixture of a hydrohalic acid and an oxyacid, a chloride containing compound, and an oxidant. The etching solution can be used at ambient temperature. This textured surface enhances adherence of coatings or cells onto the textured surface, improves the retention of proteins on the surface, and encourages bone in-growth.

An implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of a composite material having a first layer and second layer. The first layer has an articulating surface defined therein, whereas the second layer has a engaging surface defined therein for engaging either another prosthetic component or the bone itself. The first layer of the implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene or UHMWPE, whereas the second layer is constructed of a copolymer of ethylene and an acrylate. The ethylene portion of the copolymer provides for adhesion to the polymer of the first layer, whereas the acrylate portion of the copolymer provides for adhesion to commonly utilized bone cements. A method of making a prosthetic bearing is also disclosed.

Composite prosthetic bearing constructed of polyethylene and an ethylene-acrylate copolymer and method for making the same

A method and apparatus to independently measure the bearing pre-load of a pinion gear and differential case an assembled axle assembly. The ring gear and pinion gear are positioned within a backlash so that there is no engagement therebetween. The pinion shaft and differential case are rotated independently in synchronization maintaining the relative positions and the torque to rotate the pinion shaft and differential case are independently measured.

Method of independently measuring bearing preload in an axle assembly

A process for forming an oriented orthopaedic implant prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing, or near net-shape bearing includes the step of placing an irradiated UHMWPE preform or puck of a volume sufficient to accommodate the bearing in a compression mold and compression molding the irradiated preform. The molding is accomplished by applying heat and pressure to form the preform into a desired shape. The compression molding induces biaxial orientation in the formed bearing.

Oriented, cross-linked UHMWPE molding for orthopaedic applications

An apparatus designed to set up gear testers and lappers for both above and below center engaged hypoid gear sets. The set-up gage includes a pinion stem and a gage body. The gage body has at least two sets of surfaces to properly position a simulated ring gear within the gear tester for each of the above and below center engaged hypoid gear set arrangements.

Setup gage

A spinal implant is provided to integrate with and support vertebrae in a vertebral column. The spinal implant includes a body and a mineralized, bioactive surface coating chemically bonded to a portion of the body. The coating includes a non-hydroxyl containing carbonated calcium phosphate bone mineral nano-crystalline apatite with chemically adsorbed water having a crystal size less than about 1 &mgr;m. The body of the spinal implant is ring-shaped and defines a central passageway.

Surface-mineralized spinal implants

A method is provided for forming a plastic prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing, near net-shape bearing or plastic stock from which such a bearing can be formed. The method includes the steps of providing plastic resin in powdered form, subjecting the powdered resin to irradiation to cross-link the resin, and molding the irradiated powder. The irradiated powder is molded by applying heat and pressure to form the powder into a desired solid plastic shape, the heating being sufficient to melt the powder.

Cross-linked molded plastic bearings

A hob type cutter blade for use in a hobbing process. The cutter blade is formed with at least one cooling passage that permits the flow of coolant through the cutter blade to the contact surface reducing the heat generation as well as dissipating any heat already produced during the hobbing operation. During manufacturing, the cooling passage is sintered into the carbide cutter blade without the addition of separate operation.

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Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Todd Smith