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EP0963824A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Cross-linked molded plastic bearings

Assignee: DePuy Products Inc
•
Filing: 1999-06-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2019-06-09
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Abstract

Abstract 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.

Inventors

  • 👤 Donald E. Mcnulty
  • 👤 Todd Smith

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 22:52
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C67/00; B29C67/0037; B29B; B29B13/00; B29B13/08; B29C43/00; B29C43/006; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/085; B29C35/0866; B29C2035/0877; B29C2791/00; B29C2791/004; B29C2791/005; B29C2791/006; B29C43/02; B29C43/16; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06; B29K2023/0658; B29K2023/0683; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/25; B29K2105/251; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0087; B29K2995/0089; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7532

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 74 words
A method 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 comprising 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 by applying heat and pressure to form the powder into a desired solid plastic shape, the heating being sufficient to melt the powder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1 in which the irradiation step is accomplished in an oxygen reduced atmosphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1 in which the molding step is accomplished in an oxygen reduced atmosphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1 in which the molding step involves pressure from 1,000 to 70,000 psi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 1 in which the molding step is at a temperature of 250° F to 500° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 1 in which the irradiation step is at a level of 2 to 100 Mrads gamma radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 1 in which the irradiation step is at a level of 2 to 5 Mrads of gamma radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 1 in which the irradiation step is at a level of 2 to 20 Mrads of gamma radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 43 words
The method of claim 1 in which the irradiation step comprises the steps of placing resin powder in pouches formed from a breathable plastic membrane, placing the pouches in a container, and providing an oxygen reduced atmosphere in the container during the irradiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 9 in which the molding step involves transferring the pouches containing the irradiated resin to the molding press where the heat and pressure are applied.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 10 in which the molding step involves a temperature greater than the melting point of the resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of Claim 1 in which the plastic is an olefinic plastic resin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of Claim 1 in which the plastic is UHMWPE.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 84 words
A method 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 comprising the steps of providing plastic resin in powdered form, subjecting the powdered resin to irradiation to cross-link the resin, heating the powder resin within a mold to a temperature at or above the melting point of the resin for a time sufficient to form the powder into a desired solid plastic shape and quench the free radicals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 14 in which the irradiation step is accomplished in an oxygen reduced atmosphere.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 14 in which the heating step is accomplished in an oxygen reduced atmosphere.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 14 in which the heating step involves pressure from 1,000 to 70,000 psi.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 14 in which the heating step is at a temperature of 250° F to 500° F.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 18 in which the irradiation step is at a level of 2 to 100 Mrads gamma radiation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 14 in which the irradiation step is at a level of 2 to 5 Mrads of gamma radiation.

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