The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 22, 2019
Filed:
Feb. 26, 2015
Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Dirk Pletcher, Walkerton, IN (US);
Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
Various embodiments disclosed relate to melt-stabilized materials including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), methods of making the same, and medical implants including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of melt-stabilizing a material including UHMWPE. The method includes obtaining or providing a solid material including UHMWPE including a first concentration of free-radicals. The method includes coating at least part of the solid material with a liquid composition including at least one antioxidant, to provide a coated solid material. The method includes heating the coated solid material in an environment including oxygen, the heating being sufficient to melt at least part of the UHMWPE, to provide a heated material. The method also includes solidifying the heated material, to provide a melt-stabilized material including UHMWPE including a second concentration of free-radicals, wherein the second concentration of free-radicals is less than the first concentration of free-radicals.