US5753182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for reducing the number of free radicals present in ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene orthopedic components
Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing LLC
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Filing: 1996-02-14
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Granted: 1998-05-19
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Expires: 2016-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A method for reducing the number of free radicals in an implantable medical component requiring sterilization includes the steps of packaging the component in an oxygen-resistant container, sterilizing the packaged component, and exposing the packaged and sterilized component to a gas capable of combining with free radicals. The step of packaging includes vacuum sealing the component in an oxygen barrier bag. The step of sterilizing includes exposing the packaged component to radiation such as gamma radiation. The step of exposing the packaged and sterilized component to a gas capable of combining with free radicals includes placing the packaged and sterilized component in a pressure vessel and introducing pressurized hydrogen gas into the vessel for a period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Higgins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/08; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/16; C; C08; C08L; C08L2207/00; C08L2207/06; C08L2207/068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for reducing the number of free radicals present in a component requiring sterilization, the method including the steps of: packaging the component in a barrier material that is substantially impermeable to oxygen; irradiating the packaged component; and exposing the packaged and irradiated component to a gas having a valence of 1 that is combinable with free radicals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for reducing the number of free radicals present in a component requiring sterilization, the method including the steps of: packaging the component in a barrier material that is substantially impermeable to oxygen; irradiating the packaged component; and exposing the packaged and irradiated component to a gas having a valence of 1 that is combinable with free radicals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 1, including the step of packing the component in a material that is substantially impermeable to oxygen but is substantially permeable to said gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 1, including the step of substantially removing all gas from between the barrier material and the component during the step of packaging.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 1, including the step of positioning the component in a barrier material defined by a sack having one open end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 1, including the step of positioning the packaged and irradiated component in a pressure vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 5, including the step of exposing the packaged and irradiated component to gas that has a pressure greater than that of ambient air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 1, including the step of exposing the packaged and irradiated component to hydrogen gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 1, including the step of irradiating the component with gamma radiation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for reducing the number of free radicals present in a component requiring sterilization, the method including the steps of: substantially removing ambient gases from around the component; sterilizing the component; and exposing the component to a gas having a valence of 1 that is with the free radicals.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for reducing the number of free radicals present in a component requiring sterilization, the method including the steps of: substantially removing ambient gases from around the component; sterilizing the component; and exposing the component to a gas having a valence of 1 that is with the free radicals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 9, including the step of positioning the component in an oxygen barrier container before removing said ambient gases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 10, wherein said container has an inside, the method including the steps of flooding the inside of said container with an inert gas then substantially removing said inert gas from said inside of said container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 9, including the step of sterilizing the component through exposure to radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 12, including the step of sterilizing the component through exposure to gamma radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 9, including the step of vacuum-sealing the component in a container which is substantially resistant to the inflow of oxygen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 9, including the step of exposing the component to hydrogen gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 15, including the step of positioning the sterilized component in a pressure vessel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 16, including the step of exposing the sterilized component to said hydrogen gas wherein said gas is at a pressure greater thin one atmosphere.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 9, including the step of forming the component from an isostatically molded material.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for reducing the number of free radicals present in a component requiring sterilization, the method including the steps of: positioning the component within an oxygen barrier container; substantially evacuating gases from said container; sealing said container to form a packaged component; sterilizing said packaged component; and combining the free radicals with non-radical molecules.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for reducing the number of free radicals present in a component requiring sterilization, the method including the steps of: positioning the component within an oxygen barrier container; substantially evacuating gases from said container; sealing said container to form a packaged component; sterilizing said packaged component; and combining the free radicals with non-radical molecules.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for reducing the number of free radicals of claim 19, including the step of exposing said packaged component to hydrogen gas.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
9 words
A product produced by the process of claim 1.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
9 words
A product produced by the process of claim 9.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
9 words
A product produced by the process of claim 19.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-11-17 | 2002-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-18 | 2005-11-17 | 2006-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-17 | 2010-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |