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:
Aug. 13, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 29, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
Dirk Pletcher, Walkerton, IN (US);
Steve T. Lin, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Assignee:
Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B29C 3/508 ; B29C 3/702 ; B29C 4/302 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B29C 3/508 ; B29C 3/702 ; B29C 4/302 ;
Abstract
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.