US6143232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for an orthopaedic implant
Assignee: Zimmer Technology Inc
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Filing: 1999-07-29
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Granted: 2000-11-07
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Expires: 2019-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for use in an orthopaedic implant uses a supply of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles which are irradiated with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink at least a portion of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The irradiated particles are then formed into an orthopaedic bearing surface.
Inventors
- 👤 William Rohr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:30
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29B; B29B9/00; B29B9/16; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30767; B29B13/00; B29B13/08; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C43/003; A61F2/3094; A61F2/38; A61F2/3859; A61F2/389; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30112; A61F2002/30133; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30784; A61F2002/30785; A61F2002/30934; A61F2/30942; A61F2002/30957; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0015; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0827; B29C2035/0844; B29C2035/085; B29C35/0866; B29C2035/0877; B29C2035/0883; B29C43/02; B29C43/16; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06; B29K2023/0658; B29K2023/0683; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/24; B29K2105/243; B29K2105/25; B29K2105/251; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0087; B29K2995/0089; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7532
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for use in an orthopaedic implant, comprising the steps of: providing a supply of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles; irradiating said particles with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink at least a portion of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; and forming said irradiated particles into the articulating bearing surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for use in an orthopaedic implant, comprising the steps of: providing a supply of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles; irradiating said particles with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink at least a portion of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; and forming said irradiated particles into the articulating bearing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said forming step comprises the substeps of: placing said irradiated particles into a mold; pressing said irradiated particles within said mold; and heating said particles within said mold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said mold is heated above the melting point of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said mold comprises a compression mold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said particles comprise at least one of powder and flakes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said supply of particles comprises packets and said irradiating step comprises irradiating said particles within said packets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said supply of particles is formed by placing said packets of particles in a mold and pressing and heating the packet and particles within the mold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said irradiating step comprises irradiating said particles with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink substantially all of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of reducing an amount of oxygen in an ambient atmosphere around said particles during said irradiating step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of reducing the amount of oxygen within said reforming apparatus comprises bathing said particles in an inert gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said radiation energy consists of one of gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, neutron particle beam, proton particle beam and electron particle beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said articulating bearing surface is configured for use with a tibial knee implant.
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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) | 2003-11-07 | 2004-05-08 | 2004-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-07 | 2008-05-08 | 2008-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-07 | 2012-05-08 | 2012-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |