US6432349B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process of making an articulating bearing surface
Assignee: Perfection Mighty Industrial Co Ltd
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Filing: 1999-06-29
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Granted: 2002-08-13
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Expires: 2019-06-29
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Dirk Pletcher
- 👤 Steve T. Lin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/38; A61F2/389; B; B29; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/16; A61F2/3094; A61F2/30767; A61F2002/30934; A61F2/30942; A61F2002/30957; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/085; B29C35/0266; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06; B29K2023/0658; B29K2023/0683; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/24; B29K2105/243; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0087; B29K2995/0089; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7532
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for use in an orthopaedic implant, comprising the steps of: providing a block of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; shaping said block with a near-net shape articulating bearing surface; irradiating said block with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink at least a portion of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; placing said irradiated block within a reforming apparatus having a complimentary articulating bearing surface; and reforming said block by heating said block and pressing said block against said complimentary articulating bearing surface, thereby reforming said articulating bearing surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for use in an orthopaedic implant, comprising the steps of: providing a block of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; shaping said block with a near-net shape articulating bearing surface; irradiating said block with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink at least a portion of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; placing said irradiated block within a reforming apparatus having a complimentary articulating bearing surface; and reforming said block by heating said block and pressing said block against said complimentary articulating bearing surface, thereby reforming said articulating bearing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the further steps of: removing said block from said reforming apparatus; and machining a portion of said block other than said articulating bearing surface whereby said block mates with said orthopaedic implant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the further step of reducing the amount of oxygen within said reforming apparatus prior to said reforming step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of reducing the amount of oxygen within said reforming apparatus comprises one of: applying a vacuum pressure within said reforming apparatus; and introducing an inert gas within said reforming apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said block is heated to a temperature allowing free radicals in said crosslinked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene to react together and form stable bonds with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said block is heated above the melting point of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said reforming apparatus comprises a compression mold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said compression mold includes two mold halves defining a mold cavity therebetween, said irradiated block is placed within said mold cavity, and said reforming apparatus further comprises a pair of heated platens for pressing said mold halves together and heating said mold halves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said articulating bearing surface of said block is provided with a higher dose of radiation energy than another portion of said block.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said shaping step occurs after said irradiating step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said reforming step provides said block with a net shape articulating bearing surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 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 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said articulating bearing surface is configured for use with a tibial knee implant.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for use in an orthopaedic implant, comprising the steps of: providing a block of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; irradiating said block with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink at least a portion of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; placing said irradiated block within a reforming apparatus having a complimentary articulating bearing surface; and reforming said block by heating said block to a temperature allowing free radicals in said crosslinked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene to react together and form stable bonds with each other and pressing said block against said complimentary articulating bearing surface, thereby reforming said articulating bearing surface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of manufacturing an articulating bearing surface for use in an orthopaedic implant, comprising the steps of: providing a block of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; irradiating said block with sufficient radiation energy to crosslink at least a portion of said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; placing said irradiated block within a reforming apparatus having a complimentary articulating bearing surface; and reforming said block by heating said block to a temperature allowing free radicals in said crosslinked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene to react together and form stable bonds with each other and pressing said block against said complimentary articulating bearing surface, thereby reforming said articulating bearing surface.
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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) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-02-11 | 2006-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-12 | 2010-02-11 | 2010-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-12 | 2014-02-11 | 2014-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |