Wear-resistant olefinic medical implant and thermal treatment container therefor
US6355215B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2023/0683
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A prefabricated medical implant made of polymeric material having increased wear resistance without substantially changing its ductility and other physical properties is described. The implant is formed by a method including the steps of heating a sealed, packaged, prefabricated implant, having a reduced oxygen atmosphere, to an elevated temperature below its annealing point at a predetermined rate and held at that temperature for a predetermined time. After this time the packaged implant, while being maintained in a predetermined temperature range, is irradiated with a predetermined amount of gamma radiation. After irradiation, the implant is permitted to cool at a predetermined rate. Thermal conductive and thermal insulation containers are also provided for holding the packaged implants during the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.